Immunocompetent cells in labial salivary glands in secondary Sjögren's syndrome associated with SLE

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Abstract
T and B lymphocyte (sub)populations were identified by monoclonal hybridoma antibodies (the avidin‐biotin‐peroxidase complex method), in the periductal lymphocyte‐rich infiltrates in the labial salivary glands of 8 patients with secondary Sjögren's syndrome (2°SS) associated with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). 59 ± 7% and 17 ± 3% of inflammatory round cells in situ were T3‐positive and surface(SIg)‐ or cytoplasmic(CIg) immunoglobulin‐positive, respectively. This suggests a local T lymphocyte dominance in salivary glands in 2°SS associated with SLE. The local ratio of cells expressing T inducer/helper: T suppressor/cytotoxic phenotype was 3.5 ± 0.8 (range 0.9–7.6) indicating large variations between individual patients. 46 ± 9% of all inflammatory cells in situ were endogenous peroxidase‐negative, Ia‐positive cells, suggesting an active role for the locally accumulated T lymphocytes.