Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 19, 2026
09:42
A Chronic Autoimmune Dry Eye Rat Model with Increase in Effector Memory T Cells in Eyeball Tissue
Published on: June 7, 2017
Sjögren's syndrome: why autoimmune epithelitis?
D I Mitsias1, E K Kapsogeorgou, H M Moutsopoulos
1Department of Pathophysiology, School of Medicine, National University of Athens, Athens, Greece.
Oral Diseases
|October 24, 2006
Summary
The term "autoimmune epithelitis" is proposed for Sjögren's syndrome (SS) due to the epithelial cell's central role in disease initiation and extraglandular manifestations. This review explores the evidence supporting this new terminology and offers a unifying theory for SS pathogenesis.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Pathology
- Rheumatology
Background:
- Sjögren's syndrome (SS) primarily targets exocrine glands but affects other organs.
- Epithelial cells are increasingly recognized for their role in SS pathogenesis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the proposed term 'autoimmune epithelitis' for Sjögren's syndrome.
- To review the role of epithelial cells in SS pathogenesis.
- To propose a unifying theory for SS.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of studies on Sjögren's syndrome pathogenesis.
- Analysis of clinical and molecular data implicating epithelial cells.
- Synthesis of evidence to support a new terminology.
Main Results:
- Epithelial cells are crucial in initiating and perpetuating autoimmune lesions in SS.
- Epithelial cells play key roles in antigen presentation, apoptosis, and chemokine production.
- Extraglandular manifestations in SS involve epithelial components of various organs.
Conclusions:
- The term 'autoimmune epithelitis' accurately reflects the central role of epithelial cells in SS.
- A unifying theory for SS pathogenesis emphasizes epithelial cell involvement.
- Further research into epithelial cell-targeted therapies for SS is warranted.
Related Concept Videos
01:29Autoimmune Disorders
Autoimmune diseases are a group of disorders in which the body's immune system mistakenly attacks its own cells, tissues, and organs. This results from an overactive immune response against substances and tissues normally present in the body. Let's delve into the concept and mechanism of autoimmune diseases from an immune system point of view, explore different causes and examples of such diseases, and discuss potential solutions.
Concept and Mechanism of Autoimmune Diseases
The immune system...
Concept and Mechanism of Autoimmune Diseases
The immune system...
01:26Encephalitis ll: Pathophysiology
Encephalitis is inflammation of the brain parenchyma caused by direct viral invasion or immune-mediated mechanisms triggered by infections or tumors. Both processes lead to neuronal injury, disrupted neurotransmission, and diverse neurological symptoms, often with overlapping clinical and pathological features.Autoimmune EncephalitisIn autoimmune encephalitis, antibodies target neuronal antigens on cell surfaces, synapses, or within neurons. A key example is anti-NMDAR encephalitis, which can...
01:17Gastritis-II: Pathophysiology
Gastritis is marked by disruption of the mucosal barrier that usually protects the stomach tissue from digestive juices and manifests in acute and chronic forms.
In acute gastritis, the gastric mucosa becomes swollen and red and undergoes superficial erosion. Superficial ulceration may lead to bleeding.
In chronic gastritis, persistent or repeated insults lead to chronic inflammatory changes and, eventually, thinning or atrophy of the gastric tissue.
Gastritis can stem from various causes, each...
In acute gastritis, the gastric mucosa becomes swollen and red and undergoes superficial erosion. Superficial ulceration may lead to bleeding.
In chronic gastritis, persistent or repeated insults lead to chronic inflammatory changes and, eventually, thinning or atrophy of the gastric tissue.
Gastritis can stem from various causes, each...
01:24T Cell Types and Functions
When T cells with CD4 markers are activated, they give rise to two types of effector cells: helper T cells and regulatory T cells. Meanwhile, T cells with CD8 markers differentiate into effector cytotoxic T cells. The differentiation of CD4 T cells into helper T cell subsets, such as Th1, Th2, and Th17 cells, is dependent on the antigen type, antigen-presenting cell, and regulatory cytokines.
Th1 cells stimulate dendritic cells to express necessary co-stimulatory molecules on their surfaces for...
Th1 cells stimulate dendritic cells to express necessary co-stimulatory molecules on their surfaces for...
01:25Inflammatory Bowel Disease III: Crohn's Disease
Crohn’s disease is a chronic, relapsing form of inflammatory bowel disease characterized by segmental, transmural inflammation that can affect any part of the gastrointestinal tract. Its pathogenesis arises from a combination of genetic susceptibility, environmental exposures, epithelial barrier dysfunction, and immune dysregulation. Together, these factors lead to an exaggerated immune response against components of the gut microbiome.Genetic and Environmental InfluencesMultiple genetic...
01:26Gastritis II: Pathophysiology
The pathophysiology of gastritis begins with the colonization of the stomach lining by Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori). This bacterium spreads mainly via the oral-oral route through saliva or shared utensils, and can also be transmitted in overcrowded or unhygienic environments through contaminated water, despite its brief survival outside the body.ColonizationOnce ingested, H. pylori enters the stomach and begins colonization by navigating through the mucus layer lining the stomach wall. It...