To study and compare the glycoprotein composition of tear fluid from patients with primary Sjögren's syndrome, patients with other connective tissue diseases and control individuals.
SDS polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis followed by Coomassie staining or Western blotting and overlaying with ten different lectins.
The frequency of many glycoprotein bands discovered was significantly decreased in primary Sjögren's syndrome compared with controls and patients with other connective tissue diseases. The reduction was most pronounced in the 14-68 kDa molecular weight range.
A decrease in the production rate and/or a change in the glycosylation pattern of the tear glycoproteins was found in patients with primary Sjögren's syndrome. The changes discovered, however, were not specific enough to be useful as a diagnostic test.