INTERLEUKIN-2 RECEPTOR EXPRESSION IN SALIVARY-GLANDS OF PATIENTS WITHSJOGRENS-SYNDROME

Objective. To study interleukin-2 receptor (IL-2R) expression in lymph ocytic and epithelial cells in salivary glands of patients with Sjogre n's syndrome (SS). Methods. Minor salivary glands of 29 patients with primary SS, 28 with secondary SS, 19 with autoimmune diseases without SS, and 17 controls were studied using immunohistochemical techniques. Sections were analyzed with 3 different antibodies reacting with CD25 molecule. Results. The presence of IL-2R (CD25) was observed in minor salivary gland lymphocytic infiltrate in 26 (89.6%) primary SS, 24 (8 5.7%) secondary SS, and 16 (84%) autoimmune diseases without SS. CD25 antibody was expressed in epithelial cells in 12 (41%) patients with p rimary SS and 11 (39%) with secondary SS, but was absent in the group of autoimmune diseases without SS and the control group. Conclusion. T he lymphocytic infiltrate of minor salivary gland expressed IL-2R in p atients with primary SS, secondary SS and autoimmune diseases without SS. IL-2R expression in epithelial cells was only present in patients with primary or secondary SS.