ICAM-1, E-selectin, and TNF alpha expression in labial salivary glands of patients with rheumatoid vasculitis.

OBJECTIVE To assess the expression of ICAM1, VCAM1, E-selectin, CD44, and TNF alpha in labial salivary glands of patients with rheumatoid vasculitis. METHODS Labial salivary glands from six patients with rheumatoid vasculitis before and after treatment, six aged matched rheumatoid arthritis patients without clinical evidence of rheumatoid vasculitis, 10 patients with primary Sjögren syndrome, 10 patients with rheumatoid arthritis and proven secondary Sjögren syndrome, and six controls were tested with specific antibodies. RESULTS ICAM1, E-selectin, and TNF alpha were significantly expressed in endothelial cells and perivascular cellular infiltrate only in rheumatoid vasculitis before treatment. CONCLUSIONS The expression of ICAM1, E-selectin, and TNF alpha allows an assessment of the activity of the vasculitic process in rheumatoid vasculitis. Labial salivary gland biopsy findings in patients with rheumatoid arthritis and visceral vasculitis without purpura or neuropathy (that is, mesenteric, coronary, or cerebral vasculitis) would be of interest and are examples where labial salivary gland tissue is more accessible than the affected tissue.