Expression and role of transcription factor Blimp-1 in primary Sj?gren′s syndrome / 中华微生物学和免疫学杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective:To investigate the expression of B lymphocyte induced maturation protein 1 (Blimp-1) in peripheral blood CD4 + T cells, CD19 + B cells and labial glands of patients with primary Sj?gren′s syndrome (pSS) and the correlation of Blimp-1 with clinical features. Methods:Expression of PRDM1 at mRNA level in CD4 + T cells, CD19 + B cells and labial gland tissues were detected by RT-PCR. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) was used to observe the distribution of Blimp-1. Correlation of PRDM1 expression at mRNA level with clinical indicators was analyzed. Results:PRDM1 expression at mRNA level in CD4 + T and CD19 + B cells were significantly higher in pSS group than in healthy control (HC) group ( P<0.01). Based on European League Against Rheumatism Sj?gren′s Syndrome Disease Activity Index (ESSDAI), the patients were classified into two groups active group (ESSDAI≥5) and inactive group (ESSDAI<5). PRDM1 expression at mRNA level in CD4 + T and CD19 + B cells were also higher in the active group than in inactive group ( P<0.05). Blimp-1 protein accumulated around the acinus and duct of labial gland and in the germinal center in pSS patients. PRDM1 expression at mRNA level in labial gland tissues of pSS patients was positively correlated with lymphocyte infiltration ( r=0.781, P<0.001). Conclusions:pSS displayed high expression of Blimp-1. Blimp-1 might affect pSS disease activity and have clinical significance in pSS treatment.