Presence of fibronectin peptides in saliva of patients with Sjögren's syndrome: a potential indicator of salivary gland destruction.

Objective: The purpose of this preliminary study was to monitor the degree of destruction of salivary glands in Sjögren disease by the detection of fibronectin peptides in patients' saliva.

Study Design: The sample consisted of 10 subjects divided in 2 groups, one with Sjögren disease and a control group. Saliva samples were submitted to an inmunodetection analysis. In addition, non pathological salivary glands, obtained from 2 subjects who underwent minor oral surgery, were incubated with leukocyte homogenates and analysed to compare the obtained fragments.

Results: The inmunodetection analysis of Sjögren saliva revealed multiple protein bands, including fibronectin, that were not present in saliva from healthy individuals. The inmunostained bands varied depending on the course of the disease, showing more fibronectin fragments in an active phase. Furthermore, results obtained from the non-pathological glands incubated with leukocyte homogenates were similar to those revealed in saliva from Sjögren patients.

Conclusion: The presence of fibronectin peptides in Sjögren patients' saliva can constitute a method to monitor activity in Sjögren's disease.