Mast cells, extracellular matrix components, TGFβ isoforms and TGFβ receptor expression in labial salivary glands in systemic sclerosis

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To determine whether there was altered elaboration of non-collagenous extracellular matrix proteins or expression of TGFβ isoforms and their receptors in salivary glands of patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc) and Raynaud's phenomenon (RP). Because of the possible role of mast cells in the early stages of SSc their presence was also investigated. METHODS Sections of normal labial salivary glands (n=10) and glands from patients with SSc (n=13) and RP (n=5) were stained immunohistochemically and using acid toluidine blue. RESULTS SSc glands contained more mast cells than control tissues (pCONCLUSIONS These results show that (a) there are no changes in glandular expression of tenascin, elastin and fibronectin in SSc and RP and (b) both conditions are associated with an increased salivary gland mast cell population and changes in expression of TGFβ2 and β3 isoforms by glandular fibroblasts.