Alterations of Ocular Surface Gene Expression in Sjögren’s Syndrome

Abstract

Sjögren’s syndrome (SS), an idiopathic autoimmune disorder primarily affecting the lacrimal and salivary glands, leads to characteristic ocular surface changes within the conjunctival epithelium including lymphocytic infiltration, squamous cell metaplasia, epithelial hyperplasia, and a reduction in goblet cell number. We have previously reported that molecular markers of the inflammatory cascade, including two cell surface markers [class II MHC antigen (HLA-DR) and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1)] and the inflammatory cytokine, interleukin-6 (IL-6), are expressed at elevated levels in SS conjunctival epithelium.¹ As a result of these studies, we have proposed that in addition to mechanical surface abrasion secondary to aqueous tear deficiency, local inflammatory processes likely contribute to the ocular surface disease associated with SS.