title: Ro/SS-A and La/SS-B: autoantigens in Sjögren's syndrome?
abstract: Sjögren's syndrome is characterized serologically by the presence of autoantibodies against Ro/SS-A and La/SS-B. The mechanisms by which these autoantibodies arise is not clear at this moment. B cells capable of producing antibodies to Ro/SS-A and La/SS-B seem to be present in every individual; whether or not an individual indeed makes these antibodies is governed by T cells. Recent experiments from us and from others indicate that T cell tolerance towards Ro/SS-A and La/SS-B can be broken by immunization of normal mice with recombinant human Ro/SS-A or La/SS-B. The specificity of the T cells directing the anti-Ro/SS-A and anti-La/SS-B autoantibody response in these animals has not yet been elucidated. T cells may either be directed against foreign epitopes present on the human immunogen or they may be truly autoreactive. In patients with Sjögren's syndrome, a comparable immunization route might encompass product of viral origin directing the T cell response via RNA/protein complexes. Putative candidates comprise viruses that make use of RNAse polymerase-III, such as Epstein Barr virus, adenovirus, vesicular stomatitis virus en rabies virus.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001323:Autoantibodies / Q000096:biosynthesis; D001324:Autoantigens / Q000276:immunology / Q000502:physiology*; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D051379:Mice; D020733:RNA, Small Cytoplasmic; D012261:Ribonucleoproteins / Q000276:immunology / Q000502:physiology*; D012859:Sjogren's Syndrome / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D000097585:SS-B Antigen; D000099207:SS-A Antigen
chemical_list: D001323:Autoantibodies; D001324:Autoantigens; D020733:RNA, Small Cytoplasmic; D012261:Ribonucleoproteins; D000097585:SS-B Antigen; D000099207:SS-A Antigen; C116006:RO60 protein, human