Why Sjögren's disease?

Area of Science:

• Immunology and Rheumatology
• Autoimmune Diseases
• Epithelial Cell Biology

Background:

• Sjögren's syndrome is a systemic autoimmune disorder.
• Characterized by sicca symptoms and extraglandular manifestations.
• Epithelial cells play a crucial role in its pathogenesis.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the historical development, pathogenesis, and nomenclature of Sjögren's syndrome.
• To critique the proposed term 'Sjögren's disease'.
• To propose 'autoimmune epithelitis' as a more accurate descriptor.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of historical and recent immunological studies.
• Analysis of experimental evidence on salivary gland epithelial cell function.
• Critique of current and proposed nomenclature for Sjögren's syndrome.

Main Results:

• Salivary gland epithelial cells are active participants, not passive targets, in Sjögren's pathogenesis.
• These cells initiate and perpetuate immune responses by expressing immunoregulatory molecules and cytokines.
• The term 'autoimmune epithelitis' reflects the active role of epithelial cells.

Conclusions:

• The proposed term 'Sjögren's disease' offers no scientific advantage over 'Sjögren's syndrome'.
• Current nomenclature fails to capture the active pathogenic role of epithelial cells.
• 'Autoimmune epithelitis' is a more pathogenetically meaningful description of the condition.