Cytokine markers of B lymphocytes in minor salivary gland infiltrates in Sjögren's syndrome

• Published in: Autoimmunity reviews Vol. 17; no. 7; pp. 709 - 714
• Main Authors: Navarro-Mendoza, Erika P., Aguirre-Valencia, David, Posso-Osorio, Iván, Correa-Forero, Shirley Vanessa, Torres-Cutiva, Daniel-Felipe, Loaiza, Diana, Tobón, Gabriel J.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 01-07-2018
• Subjects: B lymphocytes; Cytokines; Minor salivary glands; Sjögren's syndrome; Minor salivary glands; Cytokines; Sjögren's syndrome; B lymphocytes
• ISSN: 1568-9972; 1568-9972
• DOI: 10.1016/j.autrev.2018.02.003

Sjögren's syndrome (SS) is a chronic autoimmune disorder characterised by the clinical presence of sicca syndrome. SS compromises the dysfunction of exocrine glands due to the presence of focal, mononuclear cell infiltrates that surround the ducts and replace the secretory units. Abnormal expression of different cytokines and chemokines such as B-cell activating factor, CXC Motif Chemokine Ligand 13, interleukin 6 (IL-6), IL-22, and FMS-like tyrosine kinase 3 ligand as well as that of their corresponding receptors has been implicated in the inflammatory process. The severity of glandular infiltration has been suggested to be associated with the presence of extra-glandular systemic manifestations, contributing to a clinical spectrum of the most severe disease. This review describes several cytokines and chemokines associated with B lymphocytes expressed in the minor salivary gland, their chemical structures, and their roles in SS as possible early predictors of lymphoma development and disease progression.
•Cytokines associated with B lymphocytes are possible predictors of lymphoma and disease progression in SS.•Is important to understand the role of cytokines and its receptors in the salivary gland inflammatory process.•Histopathological abnormal expression of different cytokines may be associated to extra-glandular systemic manifestations.