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Ann Rheum Dis 2005;64:1474-1479 doi:10.1136/ard.2004.031781
  • Extended report

Salivary gland and peripheral blood T helper 1 and 2 cell activity in Sjögren’s syndrome compared with non-Sjögren’s sicca syndrome

  1. J M van Woerkom1,
  2. A A Kruize1,
  3. M J G Wenting - van Wijk1,
  4. E Knol2,
  5. I C Bihari2,
  6. J W G Jacobs1,
  7. J W J Bijlsma1,
  8. F P J G Lafeber1,
  9. J A G van Roon1
  1. 1Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, University Medical Centre Utrecht, The Netherlands
  2. 2Department of Dermatology/Allergology, University Medical Centre Utrecht, The Netherlands
  1. Correspondence to:
    Mr J M van Woerkom
    Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, University Medical Centre Utrecht, The Netherlands, PO Box 85500, 3508 GA Utrecht, The Netherlands; j.vanwoerkomazu.nl
  • Accepted 15 March 2005
  • Published Online First 7 April 2005

Abstract

Objectives: To investigate whether differences in T helper (Th) 1 and Th2 cell activity in salivary glands (“local”) or (“peripheral”) blood can discriminate between Sjögren’s syndrome (SS) and non-Sjögren’s sicca syndrome (nSS-sicca). Additionally, to study relationships of local and peripheral Th cell activities with each other and with disease activity measures.

Methods: 62 sicca patients (32 with SS, 30 with nSS-sicca) were studied. Local Th1 (interferon γ (IFNγ)) and Th2 (interleukin (IL) 4) activity were determined using immunohistochemistry. T cell production of IFNγ and IL4 in peripheral blood (PB) was determined by ELISA. Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and serum IgG were considered disease activity measures.

Results: ESR and serum IgG were higher in patients with SS than in patients with nSS-sicca. Local Th1 cell activity was higher and PB Th1 activity lower in patients with SS than in those with nSS-sicca. Th2 cell activity did not differ significantly between the patient groups. The ratio IFNγ/IL4 was higher in salivary glands and lower in PB in patients with SS than in patients with nSS-sicca. Local and peripheral Th1 and Th2 cell activities correlated with ESR and serum IgG levels. ESR, serum IgG, and local or peripheral Th1 or Th2 cell activity did not discriminate between patients with SS and nSS-sicca.

Conclusions: An imbalance between Th1 and Th2 activity in sicca patients is clearly related to the severity of disease, but cannot be used to distinguish between patients with SS and those with nSS-sicca.

Footnotes

  • Published Online First 7 April 2005

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