EXPRESSION OF GLYCOCONJUGATES IN NORMAL AND SJOGRENS-SYNDROME LABIAL GLANDS

Glyconjugate expression in formalin-fixed, paraffin-embbeded Sjogren's syndrome labial glands (nine cases) was compared with that in normal glands (12 samples) using a wide panel of lectins. Mucous cells expres sed mainly mucous-type glycoproteins including sialyl, fucosyl, galact osyl and galactosaminosyl residues, and some N-linked glycoconjugates. Demilunar cells expressed mainly alpha D-mannose, GlcNAc and Gal beta 1,3-GalNAc. Duct cells and cellular glycocalyx expressed O-linked and N-linked residues. Sjogren's syndrome samples showed a statistically significant increase in the expression of GlcNAc. A significantly decr eased expression of Gal beta 1,3-GalNAc and alpha D-mannose, residues not usually present in mucous cells, was found (p < 0.05). This sugges ts that anatomic rather than functional alterations determine mucous c ell impairment and the symptoms in Sjogren's syndrome.