Comparative study of the immunoinflammatory infiltrate in sjögren´s syndrome and chronic sialadenitis

Some histological alterations observed in the salivary glands affected by Sjogren's syndrome can be also found in other chronic sialadenitis. Objective: To analyze the morphological features and immune infiltrate in minor salivary glands from Sjogren's syndrome and other chronic sialadenitis. Study Design: Eighty paraffin-embedded specimens, including focal lymphocytic sialadenitis associated with Sjogren's syndrome, chronic sialadenitis, chronic sialadenitis associated with inflammatory fibrous hyperplasia, and normal minor salivary glands, were selected. Immunohistochemical reactions for CD3, CD20, CD4, CD8, CD68, CD163, and IL-17 were performed. HE-stained and immunohistochemical slides were compared among the four groups. Results: Mean foci number and mean focus size were higher in Sjogren's syndrome. Sjogren's syndrome minor salivary glands showed a higher frequency of duct dilatation (p=0.000), and perivascular (p=0.002) and periductal (p<0.001) immune cell infiltration. The presence of CD4+ cells was more common in nonspecific chronic sialadenitis and Sjogren's syndrome (p=0.002) and IL-17 expression score was higher in Sjogren's syndrome (p=0.000). Conclusion: There are histological and immunohistochemical differences in minor salivary glands from Sjogren's syndrome in comparison with nonspecific chronic sialadenitis, and their usefulness in both diagnosis and prognosis of the syndrome should be further evaluated. Support: FAPERJ and CNPq (Brazil). Some histological alterations observed in the salivary glands affected by Sjogren's syndrome can be also found in other chronic sialadenitis. Objective: To analyze the morphological features and immune infiltrate in minor salivary glands from Sjogren's syndrome and other chronic sialadenitis. Study Design: Eighty paraffin-embedded specimens, including focal lymphocytic sialadenitis associated with Sjogren's syndrome, chronic sialadenitis, chronic sialadenitis associated with inflammatory fibrous hyperplasia, and normal minor salivary glands, were selected. Immunohistochemical reactions for CD3, CD20, CD4, CD8, CD68, CD163, and IL-17 were performed. HE-stained and immunohistochemical slides were compared among the four groups. Results: Mean foci number and mean focus size were higher in Sjogren's syndrome. Sjogren's syndrome minor salivary glands showed a higher frequency of duct dilatation (p=0.000), and perivascular (p=0.002) and periductal (p<0.001) immune cell infiltration. The presence of CD4+ cells was more common in nonspecific chronic sialadenitis and Sjogren's syndrome (p=0.002) and IL-17 expression score was higher in Sjogren's syndrome (p=0.000). Conclusion: There are histological and immunohistochemical differences in minor salivary glands from Sjogren's syndrome in comparison with nonspecific chronic sialadenitis, and their usefulness in both diagnosis and prognosis of the syndrome should be further evaluated. Support: FAPERJ and CNPq (Brazil).