Objective: To understand the mechanism and pathogenesis of Sjögrens syndrome (SS) and to provide theoretical basis for the treatment of SS.
Method: Salivary gland lymphocytes (SGL) from 20 patients with SS were analyzed by using immunohistochemical avidin-biotin-peroxidase complex (ABC) method.
Result: A predominance of T cells was found in SGL with the majority belonging to the CD4+(TH), and the CD8+(TS) subset was obviously decreased, while the CD4+/CD8+ ratio was considerably increased. Most lymphocytes expressed HLA-DR antigen in SS. The deficiency of Ts and the overactivity of TH would result in autoantibody production, that would contribute to the reaction of autoimmune.
Conclusion: The immune hyperfunction at exocrine glands of SS is the direct cause of the pathogenesis of SS. SS is further proved to be an autoimmune disease.