BAFF Expression in Salivary Gland Cells in Primary Sjögren's Syndrome
Author Information
Author(s): Ittah Marc, Miceli-Richard Corinne, Gottenberg Jacques-E, Lavie Frédéric, Lazure Thierry, Ba Nathalie, Sellam Jérémie, Lepajolec Christine, Mariette Xavier
Primary Institution: Rhumatologie, Institut Pour la Santé et la Recherche Médicale (INSERM) U 802, Hôpital Bicêtre, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris (AP-HP), Université Paris-Sud 11
Hypothesis
Can salivary gland epithelial cells produce and express BAFF in primary Sjögren's syndrome?
Conclusion
Salivary gland epithelial cells can express and secrete BAFF when stimulated by interferon, which may play a role in the pathogenesis of primary Sjögren's syndrome.
Supporting Evidence
- BAFF expression was low at baseline in both patients and controls.
- Stimulation with IFN-α significantly increased BAFF mRNA in SGECs of pSS patients.
- Secretion of BAFF protein was significantly increased after IFN-α and IFN-γ stimulation.
Takeaway
The cells in your mouth that help make saliva can produce a protein called BAFF when they are told to by certain signals, which might be important in a disease that makes your mouth dry.
Methodology
The study used quantitative RT-PCR, ELISA, and immunocytochemistry on cultured salivary gland epithelial cells from patients with primary Sjögren's syndrome and controls.
Limitations
The study had a small sample size and focused only on female patients.
Participant Demographics
Eight female patients with primary Sjögren's syndrome, mean age 43 years; eight control subjects, mean age 54 years.
Statistical Information
P-Value
0.03
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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