Isoelectric variants of blood-group substance A in human palatine secretion

Use of Human Minor Salivary Glands in Basic and Applied Secretion Research

Previous findings from studies utilizing human labial and palatine minor salivary glands are reviewed. These studies took histopathological, biochemical, and ultrastructural approaches, and focused on control and diseased glands. Disease-oriented summarizations are used, and control results are discussed in the context of disease-related findings. Findings are reviewed separately for electrolytes, macromolecules, and ultrastructure. In control subjects, minor gland salivary electrolyte concentrations are dependent on flow rate, and this dependence may be altered by diseases such as cystic fibrosis as-well as by inflammatory situations such as graft-versus-host disease. There is also evidence that salivary electrolyte secretion processes are not similar in labial and palatine minor glands. Studies of salivary macromolecular composition are reviewed for control subjects and for patients with graft-versus-host disease and Sjögren's syndrome. The findings indicate that the macromolecular contents of labial and palatine gland saliva are similar, but that both are significantly different from that for major gland saliva. Finally, studies attempting to measure disease-related changes in intracellular composition are reviewed. It is concluded that the minor salivary glands are important models for the study of exocrine gland physiology and pathophysiology in man.

Characterization of acquired denture pellicle from healthy and stomatitis patients

Little information is available about the acquired pellicle layer that is formed on denture surfaces or its role in regulating microbial colonization of the prosthetic surface. Because denture-induced stomatitis is associated with increased numbers of Candida albicans and other microorganisms on the denture surface, the acquired denture pellicle (ADP) may play a role in modulating this colonization. This study examined and compared ADP from healthy patients and patients with stomatitis by chemical and immunochemical methods. The ADP was found to be composed of a selectively adsorbed layer containing salivary amylase, high molecular weight mucin (MG1), lysozyme, albumin, and sIgA. Salivary cystatins, proline-rich proteins, and low molecular weight mucin (MG2) were not detected. ADP amino acid composition was distinct from any of the ductal salivas, but had many similarities with enamel pellicle. Immunoblots of ADP from patients with stomatitis identified additional serum components, degradation products, and C. albicans cell components that were not detected in ADP from healthy patients. Quantification of these molecules in ADP could lead to a diagnostic test for oral mucosal disease underlying a denture base. Identification of specific molecules in denture pellicle that promote adhesion of C. albicans may elucidate a mechanism of fungal cell colonization on the denture surface. Future studies that chemically modify the denture acrylic resin surface to immobilize antimicrobial proteins may be a means of decreasing pathogenic plaque development.

Sialochemistry in Sjögren's syndrome: a review

Sjögren's syndrome (SS) is an autoimmune exocrinopathy. The salivary glands are the site of activated T- and B-lymphocytes, along with gradual parenchymal destruction, diminished flow and altered composition of the secretory product. At present, sialochemistry has achieved no significance for the evaluation of SS patient. However, the number of sialochemical publications is steadily growing. This study review current sialochemical findings in patients with SS and relate the observations to the present concept of diagnosis, pathogenesis and prognosis of SS. An ideal combination of the collection of low-stimulated pure secretion, measurements of absolute flow-rates, and biopsy from the same glands seem to be unobtainable in SS patients. But two procedures may be appropriate: stimulated parotid secretion combined with parotid biopsies, or absorbance of low-stimulated labila saliva combined with labial gland biopsy. Sufficient data on disease-specific alterations in salivary composition in SS are still lacking. However, detection of specific changes in protein synthesis or in glycosylation as well as the detection of inflammatory cell products should be possible with the use of sensitive biochemical assays.

Free amino acids in human palatine gland secretions

Human palatine gland saliva (HPS) was collected from young adult subjects (mean age 22 yr) of both sexes by gentle mechanical stimulation. The HPS contained 9-13 of the common amino acids within the range of 2-850 nmol/ml, but most samples had low or no concentrations of arginine, tryptophan and proline. Methionine and cysteine were not reliably detected. The molar ratios of most amino acids varied between subjects, but the ratio of leucine to isoleucine was remarkably constant (mean +/- SD = 1.86 +/- 0.28; n = 28). The minimum average secretion rate of HPS, using gentle mechanical stimulation, was estimated to be about 25 mg/min (wet weight).

Use of human minor salivary glands in basic and applied secretion research

Previous findings from studies utilizing human labial and palatine minor salivary glands are reviewed. These studies took histopathological, biochemical, and ultrastructural approaches, and focused on control and diseased glands. Disease-oriented summarization are used, and control results are discussed in the context of disease-related findings. Findings are reviewed separately for electrolytes, macromolecules, and ultrastructure. In control subjects, minor gland salivary electrolyte concentrations are dependent on flow rate, and this dependence may be altered by diseases such as cystic fibrosis as well as by inflammatory situations such as graft-versus-host disease. There is also evidence that salivary electrolyte secretion processes are not similar in labial and palatine minor glands. Studies of salivary macromolecular composition are reviewed for control subjects and for patients with graft-versus-host disease and Sjögren's syndrome. The findings indicate that the macromolecular contents of labial and palatine gland saliva are similar, but that both are significantly different from that for major gland saliva. Finally, studies attempting to measure disease-related changes in intracellular composition are reviewed. It is concluded that the minor salivary glands are important models for the study of exocrine gland physiology and pathophysiology in man.

Partial chemical characterization and biological activities of sulphated glycoproteins isolated from in-vivo pilocarpine-stimulated secretions of rat minor salivary glands

Following the incorporation of [35S]-sulphate into rats, 35S-labelled sulphated glycoproteins were isolated from the minor salivary gland secretions of pilocarpine-stimulated, immobilized animals. The secretory products were initially resolved on Sepharose 4B into two major radioactive fractions, one of which appeared at the void volume and represented only 7 per cent by weight of the applied fraction. The bulk of the products were of lower molecular weight and were further resolved by DEAE-Sephacel anion-exchange chromatography. Four distinct radioactive fractions were obtained all of which possessed blood-group A reactivity and aggregated Streptococcus sanguis NCTC 7864 but not Streptococcus mutans OMZ61. The radioactive fractions possessed protein/carbohydrate ratios in the range 1.6:1-5.8:1. Ester-sulphate contents ranged from 2.5 to 5.3 per cent with a higher value of 14.0 per cent being obtained for the most anionic fraction. Sialic acid was in the range 5.1 to 21.6 per cent. None of the fractions tested contained sulphated glycosaminoglycans.

Analysis of human palatine salivary proteins by isoelectric focusing in agarose

An electrophoretic method capable of analysing a small volume (5-10 microliter) of human palatine saliva without prior concentration was developed by combining the high resolution of isoelectric focusing in agarose with a highly sensitive silver protein staining method. Human palatine saliva exhibited 23 protein bands, those at pI 4.3-4.4, 4.7, 5.3 and 5.8 being major bands.