[Expression of ductal Fas antigen in sialoadenitis of Sjögren's syndrome]

The expression of Fas antigen on ductal epithelial cells of sialoadenitis was examined in patient with Sjögren's syndrome and normal subject. In two patients with severe sialoadenitis, Fas antigen was strongly expressed on the ductal epithelial cells. In contrast, Fas antigen was not seen in minor salivary gland of normal subjects and of mild sialoadenitis cases. This finding suggests that Fas antigen may play a role in the pathogenesis of sialoadenitis in Sjögren's syndrome by providing a specific target for cytotoxic T cells expressing Fas ligand.