FIBRINOLYSIS-RESISTANT FIBRIN DEPOSITS IN MINOR LABIAL SALIVARY-GLANDS OF PATIENTS WITH SJOGRENS-SYNDROME

Minor labial salivary glands obtained at biopsy from 12 patients with Sjogren's syndrome were investigated by immunomorphological methods fo r the presence of fibrinolysis-resistant fibrin deposition. Fibrin cou ld be found in extracellular localization between individual inflammat ory cells infiltrating minor salivary glands. In the areas surrounding mononuclear infiltrations the labeling for fibrin showed an essential ly fibrillar pattern. Staining for factor XIII A was observed over fib rin deposits and in large, stellate cells not showing reaction for fib rin. Here it is demonstrated that factor XIII A(+) tissue macrophages are in an intimate relationship with fibrin deposits. The authors sugg est that tissue macrophages may play a regulatory role in fibrin accum ulation in association with autoimmune inflammation and consequently i n demarcation of the inflammed tissue. (C) Academic Press, Inc.