Development of a highly sensitive genetic diagnosis ofSjogren syndrome based on detection ofβdefensins

为了分析Sjogren综合征患者唇腺中人β-防御素表达模式的变化，本研究检测了Sjogren综合征患者和非Sjogren综合征患者唇腺中人β-防御素的免疫反应性和基因表达。另外，我们分析了β防御素在患病小鼠模型气管上皮中的定位模式。本研究结果表明，急性炎症增加β防御素4，慢性炎症减少β防御素4。在干燥综合征患者唇腺中检测到弱表达的人β-防御素4基因，而在非干燥综合征患者唇腺中几乎不表达。有趣的是，一个没有干燥综合征的唇腺亚组显示出人类β-防御素4的基因表达和与干燥综合征相似的形态。这些发现以及急性炎症增加β防御素4和慢性炎症减少β防御素4的结果可能表明未来的干燥综合征的可能性。这些分析可能有助于诊断和评估干燥综合征的风险。

To analyze the details of changes in expression patterns of human β-defensins in labial glands in Sjogren’s syndrome, the present study investigated the immunoreactivity and gene expression of human β-defensin s in patients with and without Sjogren’s syndrome. Otherwise, we analyzed the localization patterns of β defensins , in the tracheal epithelium of mouse modeles of sick building mice. The results of this study indicated that acute inflammation increased β defensin4 and chronic inflammation decreased β defensin4. Weak gene expression of human β-defensin4 was detected in labial glands with Sjogren’s syndrome, but was almost absent in labial glands without Sjogren’s syndrome. Interestingly, a subgroup of labial glands without Sjogren’s syndrome showed gene expression of human β-defensin4and similar morphology to the Sjogren’s syndrome. These findings and the result that acute inflammation increased β defensin4 and chronic inflammation decreased β defensin4 may indicate a potential for future Sjogren’s syndrome. These analyses might prove useful in the diagnosing and assessing risk of Sjogren’s syndrome.