title: Elevated serum levels of soluble E-cadherin in patients with primary Sjögren's syndrome.
abstract: The aim of this study was to investigate serum levels of soluble E-cadherin (sE-cadherin) in relation to lymphocytic organization and to characterize the expression of E-cadherin and integrin alphaEbeta7/CD103 in salivary gland epithelium of patients with Sjögren's syndrome (SS). Serum levels of sE-cadherin were significantly increased in SS compared to non-SS and nonsignificantly in germinal centre (GC)+ compared to GC- patients. Membrane-bound E-cadherin was detected on the majority of acinar and ductal epithelial cells in both SS and non-SS. alphaEbeta7/CD103-positive cells were found scattered in focal infiltrates and GC, and in small clusters close to ductal and acinar epithelium at an increased level in SS compared to non-SS. Interestingly, E-cadherin-positive cells were detected randomly dispersed in focal lymphocytic infiltrates in 10/21 patients. By double-labelling, the cells with the E-cadherin-positive component were identified as CD68(+) macrophages. Elevated serum levels of sE-cadherin indicate an increased epithelial cell turnover and shedding, and sE-cadherin deserves further analysis as a potential diagnostic tool for SS.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral Sciences-Oral Pathology and Forensic Odontology, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway. malin. jonsson@odont.uib.no
authors.forename: M V
authors.initials: MV
authors.lastname: Jonsson
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Salomonsson
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Øijordsbakken
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Skarstein
mesh_terms: D015703:Antigens, CD / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics; D015820:Cadherins / Q000097:blood* / Q000378:metabolism; D002465:Cell Movement; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D018858:Germinal Center / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D039001:Integrin alpha Chains / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics; D008875:Middle Aged; D012469:Salivary Glands / Q000378:metabolism; D012859:Sjogren's Syndrome / Q000097:blood* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology
chemical_list: D015703:Antigens, CD; D015820:Cadherins; D039001:Integrin alpha Chains; C091367:alpha E integrins