[Expression of SSA antigen epitopes in minor salivary glands from patients with primary Sjögren's syndrome].

Objective: To investigate the correlation between the differential expression of 60 000 SSA epitopes in minor salivary glands (MSG) from patients with primary Sjögren's syndrome (pSS) and glandular inflammation.

Methods: The screening and soluble expression of single-chain fragment V monoclonal antibodies (Scfv McAb) against SSA antigen epitopes (P1: 480 - 494, P2: 310 - 323 and P3: 230 - 241) were performed by phagemid antibody expression system. The expression of epitopes was detected by immunohistochemical assay (IH) in minor salivary glands from these patients.