Induction of C-reactive protein, serum amyloid P component, and kininogensin the submandibular and lacrimal glands of rats with experimentally induced inflammation

The mRNAs for acute-phase proteins and kininogens were found to be increase d in the submandibular gland (SMG) and extraorbital and intraorbital lacrim al gland (ELG and ILG) in response to experimentally induced inflammation i n rats; i.e., 24 hours after subcutaneous injection of turpentine oil, mRNA s for C-reactive protein (CRP), serum amyloid P component (SAP), and H- and T- kininogens were induced in the SMG, ELG, and ILG of rats, whereas these mRNAs were not detected in the same tissues of normal control rats. The in duction of mRNAs for these inflammatory proteins by turpentine oil was prec eded by a transient increase in the level of mRNA for tumor necrosis factor -alpha (TNF-alpha) at 6 hours after subcutaneous injection of the oil. This was confirmed by injection of another inflammation inducer, lipopolysaccha ride (LPS), which induced the TNF-alpha mRNA in the same way at 6 hours as turpentine oil did. The up-regulation of acute-phase proteins including kin inogens in the SMG, ELG, and ILG suggest the existence of a strict defense system in the exocrine glands. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Inc. All rights re served.