CXCR4/CXCL12 expression in the salivary gland and its significance in primary Sj?gren's syndrome / 中华风湿病学杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To investigate the expression of CXCR4 and CXCL12 in the labial gland of patients with primary Sj?gren's syndrome (pSS), and to explore their role in the pathogenesis of pSS. Methods The expression of CXCR4 and CXCL12 in labial gland tissues was detected by immunohistochemistry in 32 cases of newly diagnosed pSS and 30 cases of oral mucosa cysts or trauma patients. The expression level, intensity and location were analyzed and compared statistically. χ2 test and Spearman correlation analysis were used for statistical analysis. Results The positive rate of CXCR4 in the test group was 91%(n=29), which was significantly higher than that in the control group (33%, n=10, χ2=21.77, P=0.001). The positive rate of CXCL12 in the test group was 97%(n=31), which was significantly higher than that in the control group 40%(n=12), and the difference was statistically significant ( χ2=23.57, P=0.001). Conclusion CXCR4 and CXCL12 are highly expressed in labial gland of pSS patients, this suggests that they participate in the pathological process of pSS local inflammatory response and play an important role in pSS pathogenesis.