The role of T lymphocytes in Sjögren's syndrome.

The exact role of T cells in the immunopathogenesis of Sjögren's syndrome (SS) is not well understood and is discussed herein. It seems plausible that this autoimmune disorder is associated strongly with the functions of autoantigen-specific CD4 cells. T cell receptor Vbeta gene usage appears to be unrestricted. Furthermore, elevated gene expression of T cell-derived cytokines such as IFN-gamma, IL-1, IL-6, IL-10 and IL-13 seen in salivary glands of SS patients and the animal models of this disorder suggests that the course of SS may be mediated by Th1 and Th2 cells. Defining the precise role of these CD4 cells subsets in SS would certainly provide insights into the establishment of immunotherapeutic bimodal.