Salivary Galectin-9 Levels in Primary Sjögren's Disease: An Observational Cross-Sectional Case-Control Study

Area of Science:

• Immunology
• Rheumatology
• Biomarker Discovery

Background:

• Primary Sjögren's disease is a systemic autoimmune condition causing exocrine gland inflammation.
• Objective, non-invasive biomarkers are needed to assess glandular involvement and immune activity in Sjögren's disease.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate salivary galectin-9 as a potential biomarker for primary Sjögren's disease.
• To evaluate the association between salivary galectin-9 levels and disease characteristics.

Main Methods:

• Observational, cross-sectional case-control study with 34 primary Sjögren's disease patients and 34 controls.
• Salivary galectin-9 measured using ELISA in unstimulated whole saliva.
• Disease activity, symptoms, autoantibodies, and biopsy findings were assessed; ROC analysis performed.

Main Results:

• Salivary galectin-9 concentrations were significantly higher in primary Sjögren's disease patients versus controls.
• No significant correlation found between salivary galectin-9 and disease activity, symptoms, autoantibodies, or biopsy results.
• Galectin-9 showed limited discriminative ability between patients and controls.

Conclusions:

• Elevated salivary galectin-9 in primary Sjögren's disease suggests a link to local glandular immune processes.
• Further prospective research is required to establish the clinical utility of salivary galectin-9.