Immunocompetent cells in labial salivary glands in secondary Sjögren's syndrome associated with SLE.

T and B lymphocyte (sub)populations were identified by monoclonal hybridoma antibodies (the avidin-biotin-peroxidase complex method), in the periductal lymphocyte-rich infiltrates in the labial salivary glands of 8 patients with secondary Sjögren's syndrome (2 degrees SS) associated with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). 59 +/- 7% and 17 +/- 3% of inflammatory round cells in situ were T3-positive and surface(SIg)- or cytoplasmic(CIg) immunoglobulin-positive, respectively. This suggests a local T lymphocyte dominance in salivary glands in 2 degrees SS associated with SLE. The local ratio of cells expressing T inducer/helper: T suppressor/cytotoxic phenotype was 3.5 +/- 0.8 (range 0.9-7.6) indicating large variations between individual patients. 46 +/- 9% of all inflammatory cells in situ were endogenous peroxidase-negative, Ia-positive cells, suggesting an active role for the locally accumulated T lymphocytes.