The role of CXCL9, CXCL10, and CXCL13 chemokines in patients with Sjögren’s syndrome

Introduction: Sjögren’s syndrome (SS) is a chronic, systemic, and autoimmune disease characterized by lymphocytic infiltration of all exocrine glands, primarily the lacrimal and salivary glands. Chemokines play a key role in many inflammatory diseases. They play a fundamental role in recruitment, transport, and activation of immune cells. This study aimed to investigate the role of CXCL9, CXCL10, and CXCL13 chemokines in primary SS patients. Method: The study included 62 SS patients and 68 individuals without known systemic or rheumatological disease. CXCL9, CXCL10, and CXCL13 levels were analyzed in both groups using ELISA test kits and compared. The mean age of SS and healthy controls (HC) were similar. White blood cell neutrophil and lymphocyte values were found significantly lower in the SS compared to the HC; ESR value was higher in SS. Other hemogram parameters such as hemoglobin, platelets, monocytes, and CRP did not show a significant difference. CXCL10 levels were found to be significantly higher in SS compared to HC. CXCL13 level was significantly lower in SS. However, there was no statistically significant difference in CXCL9 serum between SS and HC. There was a negative correlation between serum CXCL9 level and lymphocyte and there was also a positive correlation between CXCL13 serum level and leukocyte. Conclusion: CXCL10 chemokine may serve as a potential biomarker for primary SS and it may also be a new therapeutic target. (Table presented.)