Medizinische Universität Graz Austria/Österreich - Forschungsportal - Medical University of Graz
Gewählte Publikation:
Hammerl, S.
Analysis of Peripheral Lymphocytes in Patients with Sjögren’s Syndrome
Humanmedizin; [ Diplomarbeit ] Graz Medical University; 2017. pp. 109
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- Autor*innen der Med Uni Graz:
- Betreuer*innen:
- Stradner Martin Helmut
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- Abstract:
- Introduction: Sjögren’s syndrome (SS) is an autoimmune disease with lymphocytic infiltration of exocrine epithelia as a histological hallmark of disease. The resulting dysfunction of the exocrine glands leads to the predominant symptoms of dry eye and dry mouth summarized in the term Sicca syndrome. SS can extend beyond the exocrine glands and affect other organ systems such as lungs, liver, kidneys, and the nervous system. The Intention of this study was to analyze the distribution of lymphocyte populations in patients with SS to potentially gain insight into the pathogenesis and to identify biomarkers for the diagnosis or prognosis of SS. Material and Methods: In this prospective study peripheral blood from 25 patients with Sjögren’s syndrome (SS) diagnosed by AECG criteria and 129 healthy controls (HCs) was analyzed. We analyzed lymphocyte subsets in the peripheral blood of SS patients and HCs by flow cytometry. We compared the absolute and relative counts of lymphocyte subsets in both groups and correlated clinical data of our SS patients with the lymphocyte counts. Results: We found a significantly decreased count of T lymphocytes in SS patients. This was mostly the result of a decline of the T-helper cell population. Analysis of this population showed remarkable changes in different subsets leading to this reduction: A decrease of Th2 cells, Th1/17, CD4+ effector-, naïve-, and CD28- cells. Interestingly, more activated CD4/CD8-double negative, CD8+, and Th17 cells were found in SS patients. The absolute count of B cells in SS patients was reduced due to a decrease of switched B cells, CD21-negative, and marginal zone B cells. Discussion: We confirmed the reduction of T helper cells in SS. We found that this reduction is the result of a loss of peripheral naïve and effector cells, Th2 and Th1/17 cells. CD8+ cells in SS showed impaired proliferative capacity despite signs of activation Activated DN cells seem to be a promising lymphocyte subset as they are increased in SS and correlate with serum IgG. DN cells are a source of IL-17, which plays a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of SS.