Expression of Th1/Th2 and Fas/FasL in the labial salivary gland of patients with Sjgren's syndrome and its significance

Objective To investigate the expression of interferon-γ(IFN-γ),interlukin-4(IL-4) and Fas/FasL in the labial salivary gland of patients with Sjgren's syndrome(SS) and its relationship with the infiltration of lymphocytes in the gland.Methods The expressions of IFN-γ,IL-4,Fas and FasL were examined by immunohistochemistry.HE labeling method was used to examine the infiltration of lymphocytes in salivary gland.Results The IFN-γ/IL-4 and Fas/FasL ratios in SS patients were higher than that in the normal control,and were correlated with the lymphocytic infiltration in salivary gland.Conclusion The elevation of IFN-γ/IL-4 and Fas/FasL ratios in labial salivary gland in patients with SS are related to the infiltration of lymphocytes,playing an important role in the process of glandular destruction and in the pathogenesis of SS.