The aim of the present study was to assess the T cell cytokines IFN-gamma, IL-2, IL-4 and IL-5 in labial salivary glands (LSG) in Sjögren's syndrome (SS) and healthy controls using RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry. IFN-gamma is always or almost always produced in SS and in healthy controls. IL-2 was also found in some samples, but IL-4 and IL-5 were not. Less than 2% of all inflammatory mononuclear cells contained immuoreactive IFN-gamma or IL-2. Cytokine mRNA profile in LSGs in SS is skewed towards a T(H)1 pattern. The classical T(H)1 cytokines are also produced in normal glands, even in the absence of foci. T(H)1 type response may play an active role as part of the mucosal associated lymphoid tissue/responses, perhaps in prevention of reactivation of latent viruses. This may also make the exocrine glands a locus minoris resistentiae when the self tolerance is broken.