Pathophysiology Dept., School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Greece & Academic Joint Rheumatology Program, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Greece
Volume 27, Issue 2, June 2016
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758145580
Mediterr J Rheumatol 2016;27(2):75-7
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Levels of miRNA miR200b-5p (miR200b*) in the minor salivary glands (MSG) of patients with Sjögren’s syndrome: Possible prognostic value for future lymphoma development?
Abstract
Sjögren's syndrome (SS) is a chronic autoimmune disease with a broad clinical spectrum extending from organ-specific exocrinopathy to various systemic manifestations. Approximately 6-10% of SS patients develop B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma, which is the main cause of increased mortality in SS. The development of lymphoma has been associated with the expression of several clinical, laboratory and histopathological markers. The pathogenetic mechanisms underlying syndrome development and lymphomagenesis are unknown. Most likely, the heterogeneity of clinical phenotypes and the broad outcome of SS patients reflect discrete and complex pathogenetic pathways in patient subgroups.
The expression pattern of certain microRNAs (miRNAs) has been linked to reduced salivary gland (SG) function, as well as Ro/SSA and La/SSB autoantigens expression. Furthermore, reduced levels of miR200b-5p miRNA in the SG tissues were associated with MALT-lymphoma, suggesting that they may participate in SS lymphomagenesis. Indeed, miR200b miRNAs are critical regulators of oncogenes and their suppressors. In this context, the down-regulated expression of miR200b-5p in the SG tissues of SS patients with MALT-lymphoma may represent a pathogenetic pathway and a promising prognostic biomarker for development of lymphoma. In the current study, the levels of miR200b-5p expression will be evaluated in SGs from SS patients that: a) do not have adverse prognostic factors for lymphoma development; b) had developed lymphoma in the future (prelymphoma); and c) had SS-associated lymphoma. Their association with SS-related lymphoma and value as prognostic biomarkers will be validated with anticipated significant effect in lymphoma prediction and understanding of SS lymphomagenesis.