AB0164 Numbers of b-lymphocytes increase when formation of lymphoepithelial lesions progresses in salivary glands of primary sjögren’s syndrome patients
Authors: M.S. Van Ginkel, E.A. Haacke, H. Bootsma, S. Arends, J.F. van Nimwegen, G.M. Verstappen, F.K. Spijkervet, A. Vissink, B. van der Vegt, F.G. Kroese
Journal: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases (2018)

<h3>Background</h3> The major histopathological finding in salivary glands of primary Sjögren's syndrome (pSS) patients are periductal lymphocytic infiltrates (foci). In association with these infiltrates, lymphoepithelial lesions (LELs) may be formed. LELs are defined by infiltration of lymphocytes within the epithelium with hyperplasia of ductal cells. Although it has been suggested that B-lymphocytes predominate in LELs, the relative role of B- and T-lymphocytes in LEL formation is not known. Since LELs are a characteristic finding in salivary glands of pSS patients, quantification of B- and T-lymphocytes in the different stages of LEL development will give more insight in their formation as well as in the pathogenesis of pSS. <h3>Objectives</h3> To quantify the numbers of B- and T-lymphocytes in different stages of LEL development in parotid and labial gland biopsies of pSS patients. <h3>Methods</h3> The study population consisted of 15 pSS patients, who fulfilled the ACR-EULAR criteria and underwent salivary gland biopsies of both the parotid and labial gland. Patients were not treated with biologicals and 13 patients were not using other immunosuppressive therapy. Presence and severity of LELs were evaluated on HE stained sections. Severity of lesions was scored from stage 0 to stage 3 (stage 0: lymphocytic ductal infiltration without hyperplasia of the epithelium; stage 1: lymphocytic ductal infiltration and &lt;50% hyperplastic epithelium; stage 2: lymphocytic ductal infiltration and ≥50% hyperplastic epithelium; stage 3: lymphocytic ductal infiltration and fully circumferentially hyperplastic epithelium with occluded lumen). Numbers of B- and T-lymphocytes within LELs were counted (10 ducts per biopsy) by using Image J cell counter on serial CD20 and CD3 stained sections. High molecular weight cytokeratin staining was used to identify ductal borders. Generalized estimating equations (GEE) were used to analyse the numbers of B- and T-lymphocytes and B/T ratio's over the different stages of severity of LELs. <h3>Results</h3> B- and T-lymphocytes can both infiltrate within the ductal epithelium forming LELs in salivary glands of pSS patients. T-lymphocytes were present in all LELs, scattered through the whole ductal epithelium. Whereas B-lymphocytes were found in clusters, mostly located in the hyperplastic area of the ductal epithelium. With higher severity of LELs, the numbers of B- and T-lymphocytes increased significantly, in both the parotid and labial gland. The numbers of B-lymphocytes increased relatively more with higher severity of LELs than T-lymphocytes. This has led to an increased intraepithelial B/T ratio in more pronounced LELs. This increased B/T ratio was even more pronounced in parotid than in labial glands. In both glands, there was a predominance of T-lymphocytes in lower LEL stages. In more severe LEL stages, B-lymphocytes outnumbered the T-lymphocytes. <h3>Conclusions</h3> Given the relative increase in the number of B-lymphocytes with higher severity of LELs as well as their close association with proliferating ductal epithelial cells, we conclude that B-lymphocytes play a major role in the hyperplasia of the ductal epithelium. <h3>Disclosure of Interest</h3> None declared