NK cells restrain cytotoxic CD8 T cells in the submandibular gland via PD-1-PD-L1.

The increasing use of anti-programmed cell death 1 (PD-1) immune checkpoint blockade has led to the emergence of immune-related adverse events (irAEs), including dysfunction of the submandibular gland (SMG). In this study, we investigated the immunoregulatory mechanism contributing to the susceptibility of the SMG to irAEs. We found that the SMGs of PD-1-deficient mice and anti-programmed cell death ligand 1 (PD-L1)-treated mice harbor an expanded population of CD8 T cells.

Comparison of Corneal Epitheliotrophic Factors of Undiluted Autologous Platelet-Rich Plasma and Autologous Serum Eye Drops for Dry Eye Disease.

Introduction: The purpose of this study was to compare the growth factor concentrations in undiluted autologous platelet-rich plasma (APRP) and autologous serum (AS) eye drops.

Methods: This was a single-center, prospective trial conducted in a tertiary university hospital in Bangkok, Thailand. Ninety-six patients with moderate-to-severe dry eye disease, who were randomly assigned to receive either 100% APRP or 100% AS, were enrolled in the study.

Pilocarpine treatment of Sjögren's syndrome curative effect of meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials.

Objectives: Recent research has increasingly focused on improving symptoms in patients with Sjögren's syndrome (SS). This study aims to evaluate the efficacy of oral pilocarpine in treating SS, synthesising the latest scientific evidence from randomised controlled trials (RCTs).

Methods: We systematically searched PubMed, Embase, the Cochrane Library, and the Science Citation Index for relevant randomised controlled trials (RCTs) published up to November 2023.

Non-negligible prevalence of focal lymphocytic sialadenitis in minor salivary glands of non-Sjögren's disease individuals.

Objectives: Focal lymphocytic sialadenitis (FLS) in minor salivary gland biopsy (MSGB) has long been regarded as a histologic hallmark of Sjögren's disease (SjD), but it can also occur in non-SjD individuals. This study aimed to define the prevalence of FLS in labial minor salivary glands of non-SjD individuals via both an autopsy study and a meta-analysis.

Methods: A total of 214 genotype-tissue expression (GTEx) volunteers was included in the autopsy study, and FLS in labial minor salivary gland was evaluated.

Reliability of colour Doppler ultrasonography of the major salivary glands in Sjögren's disease.

Objectives: To analyse intraobserver and interobserver reliability of colour Doppler (CD) ultrasonography of the major salivary glands (SGUS) in patients clinically suspected of Sjögren's disease (SjD).

Methods: One hundred consecutive outpatients visiting the University Medical Center Groningen for a diagnostic trajectory because of a suspicion of SjD were evaluated using CD ultrasonography of the submandibular and parotid salivary glands. All images were independently assessed by four observers (two experienced observers, one lesser experienced resident, one inexperienced trainee) in two sessions using the Outcome Measures in Rheumatology (OMERACT) CD scoring system (scale 0-3).

The effect of smoking on Sjögren's disease development and severity: a comprehensive literature review.

Unlike other autoimmune diseases, little is known about the environmental risk factors for Sjögren's disease (SjD). Smoking is an important risk factor for rheumatoid arthritis but the relationship between smoking and SjD is more complex to understand. Current smoking seems to be negatively linked to SjD, whereas there is mixed data on past smoking.

Anti-aquaporin-5 and anti-poly-U-binding-factor-60kDa protein antibodies in primary Sjögren's disease patients: preliminary data and correlation with disease activity indices.

Objectives: In primary Sjögren's disease (pSjD), in addition to glandular inflammation and atrophy, functional secretion impairment may contribute to dryness. Altered protein distribution and antibodies against aquaporin-5 (anti-AQP5) and poly-U-binding factor 60kDa protein (anti-PUF60) have been reported in pSjD and may be specifically implicated in the glandular secretive processes. This study aimed to assess the occurrence of serum anti-AQP5 and anti-PUF60 antibodies and their correlations with clinical and laboratory features of pSjD.

Abatacept use for 24 weeks has a limited effect on salivary gland inflammation in Sjögren's disease patients.

Objectives: This study aimed to assess (1) effects of abatacept on salivary gland histology of Sjögren's disease (SjD) patients, (2) the predictive value of salivary gland histopathological characteristics at baseline for clinical response to abatacept treatment.

Methods: Patients (n=41) who participated in the Dutch ASAP-II and ASAP-III trials and international abatacept trial (IM101603) from whom a labial (n=13) or parotid (n=28) salivary gland biopsy was obtained at baseline and after 24 weeks of treatment with abatacept were included. Biopsies were analysed for SjD related histopathological features before and after abatacept (n=25) or placebo (n=16) treatment.

A non-invasive model for diagnosis of primary Sjogren's disease based on salivary biomarkers, serum autoantibodies, and Schirmer's test.

Background: Minor salivary gland (MSG) biopsy is a critical but invasive method for the classification of primary Sjögren's disease (pSjD). Here we aimed to identify salivary proteins as potential biomarkers and to establish a non-invasive prediction model for pSjD.

Methods: Liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry was conducted on whole saliva samples from patients with pSjD and non-Sjögren control subjects (non-pSjD).

IFN-γ-producing T1 cells and dysfunctional regulatory T cells contribute to the pathogenesis of Sjögren's disease.

Sjögren's disease (SjD) is an autoimmune disorder characterized by progressive salivary and lacrimal gland dysfunction, inflammation, and destruction, as well as extraglandular manifestations. SjD is associated with autoreactive B and T cells, but its pathophysiology remains incompletely understood. Abnormalities in regulatory T (T) cells occur in several autoimmune diseases, but their role in SjD is ambiguous.

The analysis of the pulmonary domain involvement in Sjögren's disease.

Background: The EULAR Sjögren's syndrome (SS) disease activity index (ESSDAI) pulmonary domain is used to assess the activity of respiratory system involvement in Sjögren's disease (SjD). The most unfavorable form of respiratory involvement in SjD, after lymphomas, is interstitial lung disease (ILD).

Objectives: The aim of the study was to assess the involvement of the respiratory system in SjD patients and the occurrence of ILD in high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT), depending on immunological markers, the influence of cigarette smoking, and the age of the patients.

Lymphomas of the Parotid Gland in Denmark: A Nationwide Cohort Study.

Objective: We examined the epidemiology of parotid gland lymphomas (PGL), the incidence, survival rates, clinical features, and association with primary Sjögren's syndrome (pSS).

Methods: This retrospective nationwide cohort study analyzed data from Danish patients diagnosed with PGL between 2000 and 2020. Data were collected from medical records, the National Pathology Register, and the Danish lymphoma database.

EXPRESS: Screening for Presence of Primary Sjogren's Syndrome in Patients with Autoimmune Thyroid Diseases.

Autoimmune thyroid disorders (AITD) are the most common autoimmune human disorders as thyroid gland is a main target for autoimmunity. The association between rheumatologic and thyroid disorders has long been known, the most common being the association with rheumatoid arthritis. Our study was conducted to screen for the presence of symptoms, signs and immune markers suggesting presence of Sjogren's syndrome among patients with autoimmune thyroid disorders.

Unveiling the mystery: Investigating the debate surrounding mitochondrial DNA copy number and Sjögren syndrome using Mendelian randomization analysis.

Numerous studies have investigated the relationship between mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) copy number and Sjögren syndrome (SS). However, the conclusions remain inconclusive, with conflicting findings. The genome-wide association study summary statistics for mtDNA copy number were obtained from 2 sources: a cohort of 465,809 White individuals from the Cohorts for Heart and Aging Research in Genomic Epidemiology consortium and the UK Biobank, and a dataset of 395,718 UK Biobank participants.

Comprehensive review of patients with hypercoagulable state in rheumatoid arthritis and strategies to reduce readmission rates: A retrospective cohort study based on protective exploration of traditional Chinese medicine.

This study aimed to investigate the effect of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) intervention on the risk of readmission and laboratory indicators in patients with rheumatoid arthritis hypercoagulable state. In the retrospective cohort design, patients with RA hospitalized between June 2013 and June 2021 at the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui University of Chinese Medicine were followed up by telephone. Propensity score matching (PSM) was used to balance deviations in baseline information between patients in the hypercoagulable (HC) and non-hypercoagulable (Non-HC) groups, with exposure defined as receiving TCM treatment for ≥ 1 month.

Obesity: Friend or Foe in Sjögren's Syndrome Patients?

Background/objectives: In Sjögren's syndrome, exocrine glands are destructed in an autoimmune-mediated process. Obesity is known to influence a wide range of diseases. This study aimed to examine whether obesity has an impact on the disease course of our patients with Sjögren's syndrome.

Mixed and undifferentiated autoimmune connective tissue diseases.

Dr. Irwin M. Braverman has advanced our understanding of cutaneous manifestations of autoimmune connective tissue diseases (AI-CTD).

Lung Disease in Sjögren's Syndrome: Insights From a Reference Center's Population.

Background Sjögren's syndrome (SS) is a chronic systemic autoimmune disorder characterized by lymphocytic infiltration of the exocrine glands. Although primarily affecting these glands, the syndrome can also involve several organs. Interstitial lung disease is one of the most severe complications associated with SS.

Systemic immune-inflammation index in the evaluation of Sjogren's syndrome associated with interstitial lung disease, interstitial pneumonia with autoimmune features, and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.

Purpose: Interstitial lung disease (ILD) damages the lungs and can be caused by environmental exposures and collagen-vascular diseases. The systemic immune-inflammation index (SII) is investigated to diagnose and manage ILDs in different etiological diseases. The study aims to examine the usefulness of SII in diagnosing specific ILDs like Sjogren's syndrome (SjS)-ILD, interstitial pneumonia with autoimmune features (IPAF), and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF).

Clinical manifestations, imaging and treatment of Sjögren's disease: one year in review 2024.

Sjögren's disease is a systemic autoimmune disorder characterised by hyperactivation of B-cells and cytokine production. The condition may evolve from an asymptomatic, indolent course, with glandular involvement, to several extra-glandular systemic manifestations up to lymphoma development. Recent efforts have been undertaken to identify patient phenotypes at risk of developing specific extraglandular manifestations in order to improve patient management.

Ultrasonographic scores and parotid histopathology in Sjögren's disease: challenges in lymphoma identification.

Objectives: The role of major salivary gland ultrasound (SGUS) in evaluating Sjögren's disease (SjD) continues to be debated. This study aims to assess the effectiveness of two SGUS scores (OMERACT and Hocevar et al.) in identifying lymphoma in SjD patients.

Field testing and clinical validation of the mSQUASH to measure physical activity in patients with Sjögren's disease.

Objectives: Regular physical activity is recommended in patients with rheumatic diseases. In order to uniformly measure physical activity, our aim was to perform field testing of the modified Short QUestionnaire to ASsess Health enhancing physical activity (mSQUASH) in Sjögren's disease (SjD), together with other rheumatic diseases, and to investigate construct validity and test-retest reliability of the mSQUASH in patients with SjD.

Methods: The mSQUASH was tested by conducting semi-structured interviews in patients with SjD (n=10), systemic lupus erythematosus (n=10), giant cell arteritis/polymyalgia rheumatica (n=10) and axial spondyloarthritis (n=13) to check for understandability, interpretation and relevance.

Pathogenesis of Sjögren's disease: one year in review 2024.

The pathogenesis of Sjögren's disease (SjD) is still elusive; however, the disease is widely recognised as a multistep disorder triggered by the interplay of environmental, hormonal and genetic factors. Innate immune system plays a crucial role in the initiation of the inflammatory process, but the amplification and the perpetuation of the autoimmune process require a continual interaction between the innate and adaptive immune systems. Several important contributions elucidating SjD pathogenesis have been recently published due to emerging technologies.

Sjögren's disease and systemic lupus erythematosus overlap syndrome as distinct entity at crossroads of two autoimmune disorders: clinical characterisation from two Italian reference centres for both the diseases.

Objectives: To characterise the overlap syndrome between Sjögren's disease (SjD) and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).

Methods: Consecutive patients clinically defined as affected by SjD and SLE overlap syndrome (SjD-SLE), belonging to two Italian rheumatology centres were classified following the application of both the SjD and SLE classification criteria. Clinical, functional, ultrasound and histological data were compared with patients suffering from only SjD or SLE.