Immunological studies of submaxillary saliva from patients with cystic fibrosis and from normal children

Abstract

Submaxillary saliva as well as tissue extracts of submaxillary glands from patients with cystic fibrosis and normal controls were analyzed and compared by immunodiffusion methods. It was demonstrated that in submaxillary saliva the following plasma proteins are present: prealbumin, albumin, alpha antitrypsin, transferrin, and the 3 immunoglobulins, IgA, IgG, and IgM; albumin and IgA were the main components. All protein fractions were present in similar amounts in submaxillary saliva from normal individuals and patients with cystic fibrosis. The only exception was IgA, which was significantly elevated in submaxillary saliva as well as in the serum of patients with cystic fibrosis. Ten specific components were identified in submaxillary gland tissue. One of them was shown to be alpha amylase. Of the 9 other tissue antigens found in submaxillary gland extracts, 4 were considered to be gland specific. The submaxillary saliva antigens as well as tissue antigens were demonstrated to be immunologically identical in the 2 groups and no antigen specific for cystic fibrosis was found.