Association between IFN-alpha and primary Sjogren's syndrome.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the level of IFN-alpha in labial salivary glands, plasma, and peripheral blood cells from patients with primary Sjogren's syndrome (pSS).


METHODS
Labial salivary gland biopsy specimens, plasma, and peripheral blood cells from patients with pSS were investigated. The IFN-alpha-positive cells, measurable IFN-alpha level, and IFN-alpha gene mRNA level were determined by using immunohistochemistry, ELISA, and real-time PCR, respectively. Statistical analysis was performed by Student t test or Fisher's exact test.


RESULTS
About 60% of patients (22/37) with pSS had significantly higher scores of IFN-alpha-positive cells in labial gland biopsy and most IFN-alpha-positive cells were localized predominantly in the lymphocytes and ductal epithelial cells. But in 3 of the control samples (3/24), the IFN-alpha-positive cells existed only in the ductal epithelial cells with lower scores. Forty-three percents of the patients with pSS were found with detectable IFN-alpha concentration in plasma (> or = 12.5 pg/mL), and their concentration was higher than that of control group. Furthermore, the IFN-alpha mRNA levels in peripheral blood cells were up-regulated in the patients with pSS.


CONCLUSIONS
No matter in labial salivary glands or hematoplasma, or peripheral blood cells, IFN-alpha expression levels are up-regulated in patients with primary Sjogren's syndrome.
Zheng
Lingyan
L
Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Ninth People's Hospital, School of Stomatology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.
Zhang
Zhiyuan
Z
Yu
Chuangqi
C
Tu
Liwei
L
Zhong
Laiping
L
Yang
Chi
C
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D015870:Gene Expression; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000032:analysis / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000097:blood; D008046:Lip; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012470:Salivary Glands, Minor / Q000737:chemistry; D012859:Sjogren's Syndrome / Q000378:metabolism*; D015854:Up-Regulation
D016898:Interferon-alpha