The Significance of Ectopic Germinal Centers in the Minor Salivary Gland of Patients with Sjogren's Syndrome.
10.3346/jkms.2016.31.2.190
- Author:
Kyung Eun LEE
1
;
Ji Hyoun KANG
;
Yi Rang YIM
;
Ji Eun KIM
;
Jeong Won LEE
;
Lihui WEN
;
Dong Jin PARK
;
Tae Jong KIM
;
Yong Wook PARK
;
Kyung Chul YOON
;
Ji Shin LEE
;
Shin Seok LEE
Author Information
1. Division of Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Chonnam National University Medical School & Hospital, Gwangju, Korea. shinseok@chonnam.ac.kr
- Publication Type:Original Article ; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
- Keywords:
Germinal Center;
Sjogren's Syndrome;
Biopsy;
Salivary Glands
- MeSH:
Adult;
Autoantibodies/blood;
C-Reactive Protein/analysis;
Demography;
Female;
Germinal Center/*pathology;
Humans;
Immunohistochemistry;
Male;
Middle Aged;
Receptors, Complement 3d/metabolism;
Retrospective Studies;
Salivary Glands, Minor/*pathology;
Sjogren's Syndrome/immunology/metabolism/*pathology
- From:Journal of Korean Medical Science
2016;31(2):190-195
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
We investigated the clinical and biological significance of germinal centers (GC) present in the minor salivary glands of patients with Sjogren's syndrome (SS). Minor salivary gland tissue biopsies from 93 patients with SS were used to identify GC-like structures, which were confirmed by CD21-positive follicular dendritic cell networks. Patients were compared based upon sociodemographics, glandular and extraglandular manifestations, and laboratory findings including autoantibody profiles, complement, and immunoglobulin levels; EULAR SS disease activity index (ESSDAI) and SS disease damage index (SSDDI) were also measured. GC-like structures were observed in 28 of 93 SS patients (30.1%). Mean focus scores and CRP levels were significantly higher in GC-positive patients than in GC-negative patients; GC-positive patients also exhibit a higher prevalence of rheumatoid factor and anti-SS-A/Ro antibodies compared to GC-negative patients. No differences in glandular or extra-glandular manifestations were evident between groups. In conclusion, SS patients with GC-like structures in the minor salivary glands exhibited laboratory profiles significantly different from those of their GC-negative counterparts. Long-term follow-up of these patients will be necessary to determine whether these laboratory abnormalities are predictive of clinical outcomes.
