title: Expression of Toll-like receptor -7 and -9 in B cell subsets from patients with primary Sjögren's syndrome.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Sjögren's syndrome (SS) is a rheumatic autoimmune disease characterized by inflammation of exocrine glands. As autoantibodies are present in a majority of patients, B cells have been suggested to play an important role in onset and development of the disease. Toll-like receptors (TLRs) are pattern recognition receptors triggering innate immune responses. Since an increased expression of TLRs has been detected in other rheumatic diseases the purpose of this study was to explore TLRs in B cells of SS patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  The expression of TLR-7 and -9 in B cell subsets of 25 patients with primary SS (pSS) and 25 healthy controls was analysed in peripheral blood using flow cytometry and real time quantitative PCR.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We detected similar levels of CD19+ B cells in pSS patients and healthy controls. An increased number of naïve B cells, as well as fewer pre-switched memory B cells were found in pSS patients. No significant differences were observed in TLR-7 and -9 expression in B cells between pSS patients and healthy controls.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study shows that pSS patients have an alteration in the B cell subpopulation composition compared to controls, with less pre-switched memory B cells and more naïve B cells. We did not detect any significant disparities in TLR-7 and -9 expression between the two groups.
authors: Broegelmann Research Laboratory, Department of Clinical Science, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway.
authors: Marie
authors: M
authors: Karlsen
authors: Department of Clinical Science, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway; Department of Immunology and Transfusion Medicine, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway.
authors: Torbjørn
authors: T
authors: Hansen
authors: Broegelmann Research Laboratory, Department of Clinical Science, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway; Department of Rheumatology, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway.
authors: Hilde H
authors: HH
authors: Nordal
authors: Department of Clinical Science, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway; Department of Rheumatology, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway.
authors: Johan G
authors: JG
authors: Brun
authors: Broegelmann Research Laboratory, Department of Clinical Science, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway; Department of Rheumatology, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway.
authors: Roland
authors: R
authors: Jonsson
authors: Broegelmann Research Laboratory, Department of Clinical Science, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway.
authors: Silke
authors: S
authors: Appel
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D016175:B-Lymphocyte Subsets / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D054389:Receptors, CCR1 / Q000378:metabolism; D012859:Sjogren's Syndrome / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology; D051199:Toll-Like Receptor 7 / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism*; D051217:Toll-Like Receptor 9 / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism*; D018127:Tumor Necrosis Factor Receptor Superfamily, Member 7 / Q000378:metabolism; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: C515300:CCR1 protein, human; D054389:Receptors, CCR1; C495348:TLR7 protein, human; C495371:TLR9 protein, human; D051199:Toll-Like Receptor 7; D051217:Toll-Like Receptor 9; D018127:Tumor Necrosis Factor Receptor Superfamily, Member 7