Monotypic plasma cells in labial salivary glands of patients with Sjogren's syndrome: prognosticator for systemic lymphoproliferative disease.

Abstract

Aims: To determine the prevalence of plasma cell monotypia in labial salivary gland tissue of patients with and without

Abnormalities in peripheral B cell memory of patients with primary Sjögren's syndrome

“…In this regard, evidence of B cell hyperactivity, including circulating immune complexes, hypergammaglobulinemia, and/or autoantibodies (especially those to the Ro/SSA and/or La/SSB autoantigens and rheumatoid factors), are frequently found in patients with primary SS (1,2). The lymphoid infiltrates of the inflamed glands, often resembling germinal center-like structures, also contain a substantial number of B cells and plasma cells (4,5). B cells have been documented to infiltrate the glandular duct epithelium and, thereby, to contribute to the characteristic pattern of chronic lymphocytic inflammation that is called lymphoepithelial (myoepithelial) sialadenitis (7).…”

“…In addition, there are several features of a systemic disease that may also involve additional organ systems (1,2). Although the glandular destruction has been shown to be mainly mediated by CD45ROϩ,CD4ϩ T lymphocytes (3), chronic B cell activation and proliferation seem to play an intimate role in both primary SS and its malignant complications (4)(5)(6). In this regard, evidence of B cell hyperactivity, including circulating immune complexes, hypergammaglobulinemia, and/or autoantibodies (especially those to the Ro/SSA and/or La/SSB autoantigens and rheumatoid factors), are frequently found in patients with primary SS (1,2).…”

Current Concepts of Autoimmune Exocrinopathy: Immunologic Mechanisms in the Salivary Pathology of Sjögren's Syndrome

“…More recently, immunohistochemical and molecular studies have shown a high incidence of light-chain restriction in labial minor salivary glands (Bodeutsch et al, 1993;Speight and Jordan, 1993;Speight et al, 1994). In a large study of 70 labial glands from patients with Sjogren's syndrome, light-chain restriction was identified in 13 cases.…”

Pathophysiological cytokine network in primary Sjögren's syndrome

“…CD8+ T-lymphocytes with cytotoxic activity, characterized by their expression of granzymes constitute around 10 % of infiltrating cells. B cells, plasma cells (PCs) and macrophages (mØs) are the remaining infiltrating cells in exocrine tissues [3][4][5]. The presence of T and B cells, mØs and dendritic cells (DCs) varies according to the severity of the lesion [6].…”