Apoptosis and cell proliferation: the paradox of salivary glands in Sjögren's disease.

Aim: To assess apoptosis and proliferation in salivary glands of patients with primary Sjögren's syndrome.

Methods: Studies were performed in twenty four minor salivary glands from patients with primary Sjögren's syndrome and an equal number of controls. Apoptosis was studied by immunohistochemistry using monoclonal antibodies anti-Fas FasL and Caspase 3 and apoptotic features by TUNEL.