T-lymphocyte subsets in the human lacrimal gland.

This study examines the microscopical appearance, location, distribution, subdivision and density of T-lymphocytes in the human lacrimal gland. Fourteen glands, 7 from either sex, were removed and frozen shortly after the donors' death, and processed for immunoperoxidase staining, utilizing a biotinavidin system and one of the following monoclonal antibodies: Anti-Leu-1 and -Leu-4, which recognize T-lymphocytes, anti-Leu-2a, which binds to suppressor/cytotoxic T-cells, and anti-Leu-3a + 3b, which recognizes helper/inducer cells. The T-lymphocytes in the human lacrimal gland were small to medium sized, mainly located in the interacinar tissue, often adjacent to an acinus or close to a collecting duct. The median number of each T-cell subset per defined field (0.086 mm2) at x 500 magnification was as follows: Males: Leu-1: 3.1, Leu-2a: 4.9, Leu-3a + 3b: 2.8, Leu-4: 4.5. Females: Leu-1: 4.3, Leu-2a: 5.0, Leu-3a + 3b: 3.7 and Leu-4:5.8. The sex difference was not statistically significant. The helper/suppressor cell ratio in the human lacrimal gland was 0.57 for males and 0.74 for females.