RESEARCH - Correlation of serum BLyS and beta2 microglobulin in primary Sjogren's syndrome

[Guest guest]

Ann Rheum Dis. 2005 Jul;64(7):1050-5. Epub 2005 Jan 7.

Correlation of serum B lymphocyte stimulator and beta2 microglobulin with

autoantibody secretion and systemic involvement in primary Sjogren's

syndrome.

Gottenberg JE, Busson M, Cohen-Solal J, Lavie F, Abbed K, RP,

Sibilia J, Mariette X.

Service de Rhumatologie, Hopital de Bicetre, 78 rue du General Leclerc,

94275 Le Kremlin Bicetre, France.

BACKGROUND: In primary Sjogren's syndrome (pSS), extraglandular involvement

might result from more intense stimulation of autoreactive B cells. Thus

markers of B cell activation could be useful in the clinical assessment of

this disease. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the association of serum B

lymphocyte stimulator (BLyS) and beta2 microglobulin with autoantibody

production and extraglandular involvement in pSS. METHODS: Serum

concentrations of BLyS and beta2 microglobulin were analysed in 177 patients

with pSS according to the American-European consensus group criteria. Serum

beta2 microglobulin was determined serially in 25 patients. RESULTS:

Autoantibody secretion (presence of anti-SSA antibody alone or of both

anti-SSA and anti-SSB) was associated with increased serum BLyS and beta2

microglobulin. No correlation was found between BLyS and beta2 microglobulin

levels (p = 0.36). Serum concentrations of beta2 microglobulin and C

reactive protein and positive anti-SSB antibody results were associated with

extraglandular involvement on univariate analysis (p<10(-4), p = 0.003, and

p = 0.004, respectively). Serum beta2 microglobulin was also significantly

increased in patients with extraglandular involvement without autoantibodies

(mean (SD): 1.75 (0.7) v 1.39 (0.5) mg/l, p = 0.039). Multivariate analysis

showed that extraglandular involvement was associated only with increased

serum beta2 microglobulin (p = 0.035, odds ratio = 2.78 (95% confidence

interval, 1.07 to 7.22)). Among the 25 patients who had serial

determinations of serum beta2 microglobulin, the concentrations were

increased in all those with disease flare and decreased in three following

treatment. Serum BLyS, gamma globulin, IgG, and rheumatoid factor levels

were not associated with features of systemic involvement.

CONCLUSIONS: Serum beta2 microglobulin and BLyS reflect B cell activation in

different ways in pSS. Serum beta2 microglobulin assessment could be helpful

as an activity marker in pSS.

PMID: 15640273

Not an MD

I'll tell you where to go!

Mayo Clinic in Rochester

http://www.mayoclinic.org/rochester

s Hopkins Medicine

http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org