To explore the role of cytokines in the process of inflammation and destruction of minor salivary gland in Sjögren's Syndrome. (SS) METHODS: Using in situ non-isotope double hybridization method, we detected the mRNA of the following cytokines: TNF alpha, IL-1 beta, IL-6, PDGF alpha and PDGF beta in 24 labial gland biopsied sections.
No cytokine could be detected in the normal labial glands sections. The positivity of all cytokine expression was higher in the pSS and sSS patients than that in the control. The intensity of TNF alpha expression was 3-4 fold increase in pSS compared with sSS. The different cytokines were expressed with the different grade of lymphocytic focus. The site of different cytokines was also expressed differently. The coexpression of mRNA of TNF alpha and IL-1 beta or TNF alpha and IL-6 was only seen in the inflammatory mononuclear cells but not others. The expression of TNF alpha in aciniar cells could occur earlier than the infiltration of lymphocytes in the interstitial region. It was found that the IL-6 positive group had higher positivity of serum ANA compared with the IL-6 negative group according to Ridit statistical analysis (P < 0.05). The serum anti-SSA and anti-SSB antibody had an increase tendency in the IL-6 positive group.
We hypothesize that the development of SS may be secondary to some trigger agents, which activated the aciniar cells in exocrine gland of predisposed individuals. The activated acini cells secreted TNF alpha, then TNF alpha induced other cytokine expression, followed by the lymphocytes infiltration, which led to autoimmne reaction and the destruction of the exocrine gland.