To detect the expression of B7-H4 in salivary gland and sera in patients with primary Sjogren's syndrome (pSS).
A total of 40 pSS patients were referred to our department from June 2009 to January 2011. Immunohistochemistry and flow cytometry were used to detect the expression of B7-H4 in salivary gland from pSS patients and disease controls. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to detect soluble B7-H4 of serum from pSS patients and healthy donors.
Immunohistological staining revealed that B7-H4 antigen was restricted to tubular epithelium. The B7-H4 positive expression of tubules in salivary gland biopsies from pSS patients (18 ± 14)% were lower than that of controls (85 ± 13)% (P < 0.05). Flow cytometry revealed that the B7-H4 expression of cell suspensions from salivary gland from pSS patients (42 ± 21)% were lower than that of controls (48 ± 22)% (P < 0.01). And the serum level of soluble B7-H4 detected in pSS patients (49 ± 31)µg/L significantly decreased than that in healthy donors (71 ± 27) µg/L (P < 0.05) and positively correlated with saliva and tear flow rates (P < 0.01) respectively.
The expression of B7-H4 molecule may play some roles in the progression of pSS. And a further understanding of its mechanism helps to elucidate the pathogenesis of pSS.