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Sjögren's Syndrome: Concerted Triggering of Sicca Conditions
Zygmunt Mackiewicz1, Justyna Mażul1, Ieva Narkevičiūtė2
1Department of Regenerative Medicine, State Research Institute Centre for Innovative Medicine, Santariskiu St. 5, LT-08406 Vilnius, Lithuania.
Aim:
The aim of this study was to evaluate the expression of persistence of mumps virus and some cells that interact with viral infection in the focus of the autoimmune epithelitis and peripheral blood of Sjögren's syndrome patients in comparison to patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and nonautoimmune sicca syndrome (nSS).
Materials And Methods:
126 patients (119 women and 7 men) were grouped into four groups: (1) patients with primary Sjögren's syndrome (pSS), (2) patients with secondary Sjögren's syndrome due to rheumatoid arthritis (sSS), (3) patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and (4) patients with nonautoimmune sicca syndrome (nSS). Immunohistochemical analysis of immune response to the suggested silent persistence of mumps virus in the minor labial salivary gland biopsies and flow cytometric analysis of blood cells was done.
Results:
Immunohistochemical signs of mumps virus persistence were found in the minor salivary glands of all study groups. Also, a significantly different immune response to virus infection (protein IFI16, interferons gamma and beta, dendritic cells, and receptor for natural killers) was revealed in the minor salivary glands of the study groups. Cytometric analysis of the blood cells revealed a dropping amount of circulating natural killers and dendritic cells in patients with SS. Significant correlations between immunohistochemical staining and serological findings were revealed.
Conclusions:
Abundant immunohistochemical signs of mumps virus protein in the salivary glands and depletion of circulating immune cells make a background for thought of presumable mumps or/and other virus participation in epithelial damage causing sicca syndrome in predisposed patients.
Insights
Mumps virus persistence was found in salivary glands of Sjögren
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Immunology
- Rheumatology
Background:
- Sjögren's syndrome (SS) is an autoimmune epithelitis characterized by sicca symptoms.
- The role of viral infections, such as mumps virus, in the pathogenesis of SS is under investigation.
- Understanding the interplay between viral persistence and immune responses is crucial for SS pathogenesis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate mumps virus persistence in Sjögren's syndrome (SS) patients.
- To compare the immune response to viral infection in SS patients versus rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and nonautoimmune sicca syndrome (nSS) patients.
- To evaluate immune cell populations in the peripheral blood of SS patients.
Main Methods:
- Study included 126 patients: primary SS (pSS), secondary SS (sSS), RA, and nSS.
- Immunohistochemistry was used to detect mumps virus persistence in minor salivary gland biopsies.
- Flow cytometry analyzed immune cells in peripheral blood.
Main Results:
- Mumps virus persistence was detected in salivary glands across all patient groups.
- Significant differences in immune responses (IFI16, interferons, dendritic cells, NK receptors) were observed.
- SS patients showed reduced circulating natural killer (NK) cells and dendritic cells.
Conclusions:
- Evidence suggests mumps virus or other viral involvement in epithelial damage leading to sicca syndrome in predisposed individuals.
- Depletion of circulating immune cells in SS patients may contribute to disease pathogenesis.
- Further research is warranted to elucidate the role of viral infections in SS.