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Clinical and Experimental Medicine
Published in: Clinical and Experimental Medicine 4/2020

01-11-2020 | Inflammation of the Salivary Gland | Original Article

Expression of BAFF and BAFF receptors in primary Sjögren’s syndrome patients with ectopic germinal center-like structures

Authors: F. J. Carrillo-Ballesteros, C. A. Palafox-Sánchez, R. A. Franco-Topete, J. F. Muñoz-Valle, G. Orozco-Barocio, G. E. Martínez-Bonilla, C. E. Gómez-López, M. Marín-Rosales, E. F. López-Villalobos, S. Luquin, A. Castañeda-Chávez, Edith Oregon-Romero

Published in: Clinical and Experimental Medicine | Issue 4/2020

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Abstract

B cell-activating factor (BAFF) is an essential cytokine in primary Sjögren’s syndrome (pSS) physiopathology. It has been reported that pSS patients develop germinal center-like (GC-like) structures in their minor salivary glands (MSGs). BAFF, BAFF-R, TACI, and BCMA expression was analyzed in MSGs from 29 subjects (nonspecific chronic sialadenitis and focal lymphocytic sialadenitis with the presence [pSS-GC(+)] or absence [pSS-GC(−)] of GC-like structures). Twenty-four percent of patients showed ectopic GC-like structures and a high focus score [p < 0.001 vs pSS-GC(−)]. BAFF serum levels (sBAFF) were high in pSS patients (p = 0.025 vs healthy subjects). However, the pSS-GC(−) group showed higher sBAFF levels than pSS-GC(+) patients. BAFF and BAFF-R glandular expression levels were higher in pSS-GC(+) patients, without significant differences compared to pSS-GC(−) patients. Soluble levels of BAFF correlated with anti-La/SSB antibodies and disease duration. Our results showed that BAFF could contribute to focal lymphocytic infiltration. The role of BAFF-binding receptors in MSGs is proposed as a mechanism for the possible establishment of ectopic GC-like structures and disease progression in some patients. In conclusion, this study supports previous evidence that considers the active BAFF system role in the pathogenesis of pSS and the need for strong biomarkers in this disease.
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Metadata
Title
Expression of BAFF and BAFF receptors in primary Sjögren’s syndrome patients with ectopic germinal center-like structures
Authors
F. J. Carrillo-Ballesteros
C. A. Palafox-Sánchez
R. A. Franco-Topete
J. F. Muñoz-Valle
G. Orozco-Barocio
G. E. Martínez-Bonilla
C. E. Gómez-López
M. Marín-Rosales
E. F. López-Villalobos
S. Luquin
A. Castañeda-Chávez
Edith Oregon-Romero
Publication date
01-11-2020
Publisher
Springer International Publishing
Published in
Clinical and Experimental Medicine / Issue 4/2020
Print ISSN: 1591-8890
Electronic ISSN: 1591-9528
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10238-020-00637-0

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