Differential interleukin (IL)-10 and IL-13 gene expression in vivo in salivary glands and peripheral blood mononuclear cells from patients with primary Sjögren's syndrome

• Published in: Immunology letters Vol. 49; no. 1; pp. 105 - 109
• Main Authors: Villarreal, Gilda M., Alcocer-Varela, Jorge, Llorente, Luis
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Netherlands Elsevier B.V 1996
• Subjects: Female; Gene Expression Regulation - immunology; Humans; Interleukin 10; Interleukin 13; Interleukin-10 - biosynthesis; Interleukin-10 - genetics; Interleukin-13 - biosynthesis; Interleukin-13 - genetics; Leukocytes, Mononuclear - immunology; Leukocytes, Mononuclear - metabolism; Male; Primary Sjögren's syndrome; RNA, Messenger - analysis; Salivary gland; Salivary Glands - immunology; Salivary Glands - metabolism; Sjogren's Syndrome - immunology; Sjogren's Syndrome - metabolism; Primary Sjögren's syndrome; Salivary gland; Interleukin 13; Interleukin 10
• ISSN: 0165-2478; 1879-0542
• DOI: 10.1016/0165-2478(95)02490-5

Primary Sjögren's syndrome (PSS) is an autoimmune inflammatory disorder characterized by lymphocytic infiltration of exocrine glands, B cell hyperactivity and autoantibody production. The aim of this study was to determine the presence of IL-10 and IL-13 in this disease. We studied the IL-10 and IL-13 gene expression in vivo by peripheral blood mononuclear cells and minor salivary glands from PSS patients. We found a high expression of the IL-10 gene and its product by their peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) as well as by their salivary glands. Peripheral blood B cells and monocytes were responsible for 89% of total IL-10 secretion. IL-13 gene expression was not observed in PBMNC from either PSS patients or healthy controls, and was confined to PSS salivary glands. Our results suggest that IL-10 and IL-13 contribute to the pathogenesis of PSS and might explain the B cell abnormalities and the development of lymphoma observed in this autoimmune disease.