OBJECTIVETo compare the expression of CCL28 in minor and major salivary glands and clarify the role it plays in IgA secreting by minor salivary glands in oral cavity.

METHODSLabial gland and parotid samples were analyzed with real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR assay for CCL28 mRNA. Rank-sum test was used for data analysis using SPSS 10.0 software package.

RESULTSCCL28 mRNA was abundantly expressed in labial glands of healthy adults. Its expression was higher than that in parotids (P<0.01).

CONCLUSIONThe results of this article suggest that the expression level of CCL28 in labial glands is remarkably higher than that in parotids, which reminds us that the high concentration of IgA in minor salivary glands may be associated with their high expression of CCL28.