Localization of transferrin in the labial salivary glands of patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

A biopsy of the labial salivary glands of 57 patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and those of 43 control subjects (CO) was made. Transferrin (TF) reactivity was demonstrated by using indirect immunoperoxidase technique. Salivary glands were also morphologically evaluated for presence of inflammation, fibrosis, fatty changes and ductal metaplasia. The salivary glands of RA patients showed significantly more pronounced fibrosis and inflammation than those of CO group. TF was found localized within the cells of striated ducts, in some intercalated ducts as well as in serous acinar cells. In all locations, the TF-positive findings were significantly (P less than 0.005) more frequent in RA than in CO series. No correlations between TF localization and the morphological parameters recorded could be established. The results are discussed in terms of the mechanisms of iron transport in RA, as well as of the possible relationships of TF to immunological mechanisms in RA.