Sjögren's disease & overlap diseases
Spatial gene expression of salivary glands in Sjögren’s disease highlights T follicular helper cell signalling as an indicator of disease pathogenesis
Authors' conclusion
Spatial localisation of key Tfh cell-related cytokines in relation to ectopic GC-like formations may explain the immunopathological alterations and symptoms involved in SjD pathogenesis.
Study context
- Population
- Minor salivary gland (MSG) biopsies of male and female sjögren's disease (SjD) patients and non-SjD sicca controls
- Participants
- 20 vs 20
- Comparison
- SjD patients vs non-SjD sicca controls
- SjDn = 20
- Non-SjD siccan = 20reference
- Outcome
- Spatial signalling patterns associated with T follicular helper (Tfh) cells and ectopic GC-like structure formation (mRNA of BAFF, IL-21R, CXCL13, CXCR5)
Methodological detailsduplex-chromogenic RNAscope in situ hybridisation, digital quantification in Qupath
- Duplex-chromogenic RNAscope in situ hybridisation
- Digital quantification in Qupath
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
Spatial mRNA expression in MSGs
- Positive correlation between cells containing BAFF and IL-21R mRNA-signals
- p<0.05
- IL-21R, CXCL13 and CXCR5 expression predominantly localised within focal infiltrates, with significantly higher transcript abundance in the germinal centre (GC)+ group
- p<0.001
- Increased BAFF-positive ductal epithelial cells associated with hyposalivation
- p<0.05
- Elevated MSG atrophy negatively correlated with BAFF-expressing immune cells within focal infiltrates
- p<0.001
Original publication
Spatial gene expression of salivary glands in Sjögren’s disease highlights T follicular helper cell signalling as an indicator of disease pathogenesis. RMD Open. Published 16 June 2026. doi:10.
Composed by AI from the published abstract and checked against it. How Briefs are made →