IL‐1 receptor antagonist in saliva; characterization in normal saliva and reduced concentration in Sjo¨gren's syndrome (SS)

• Published in: Clinical and experimental immunology Vol. 106; no. 2; pp. 237 - 242
• Main Authors: DUBOST, J.‐J., PERRIER, S., AFANE, M., VIALLARD, J.‐L., ROUX‐LOMBARD, P., BAUDET‐POMMEL, M., BEGUE, C., KEMENY, J.‐L., SAUVEZIE, B.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford BSL Blackwell Science Ltd 01.11.1996; Blackwell Science Inc
• Subjects: epithelial cells; IL‐1 receptor antagonist; Original; Sjögren's syndrome
• ISSN: 0009-9104; 1365-2249
• DOI: 10.1046/j.1365-2249.1996.d01-824.x

The characterization of a salivary factor cross‐reacting with IL‐1 receptor antagonist (IL‐1Ra) is described. The apparent molecular weights of two species were 23 kD, consistent with the secreted peptide (sIL‐1Ra), and 20 kD, consistent with the intracellular peptide (icIL‐1Ra). It had an inhibitory activity on IL‐1‐stimulated fibroblasts, which is characteristic of IL‐1Ra. Its source was the oral mucosa and not the salivary glands. Saliva from patients with SS contained significantly less IL‐1Ra than saliva from controls. The decrease was marked in patients with early dental loss but whose xerostomia was still partial. In SS, the salivary IL‐1/IL‐1Ra imbalance may promote inflammatory lesions in the mouth and impede mucosal cell differentiation.