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ID PMID Title PublicationDate abstract
9519868 Structural, molecular and immunological properties of linear B-cell epitopes of Ro60KD aut 1998 Mar Antibodies to Ro60KD protein are found with high frequency in sera from patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and primary Sjögren's syndrome (pSS). Two major epitopes of the Ro60KD antigen, the TKYKQRNGWSHKDLLRSHLKP (169-190) and the ELYKEKALSVETEKLLKYLEAV (211-232), were synthesized and their antigenic and structural properties were studied. Using a large panel of SLE and pSS patients' sera, it was found that the anti-Ro60KD reactivity of both Ro60KD epitopes is rather limited (approximately 45%), although they retain their original disease specificity. The epitope p.169-190 possessed sequence similarity with the peptide RPDAEYWNSQKDLLEQKRGR, shared in the beta-chain of different HLA-DR molecules, among them the HLA-DR3 (which is associated with anti-Ro/Sjögren's syndrome A (SSA) response in patients with SLE). The antigenicity of the HLA-DR3 RPDAEYWNSQKDLLEQKRGR peptide was found to be similar to the 169-190 homologous Ro60KD epitope, recognized mainly by SLE sera. Structural studies showed that the 211-232 Ro60KD epitope exhibits pronounced helical characteristics, while the 169-190 epitope and the HLA-DR3 homologous peptide possess a somewhat lower percentage of alpha-helix. A beta-folded structure was identified in the latter two peptides. Although the diagnostic value of the reported Ro60KD epitopes seems to be rather limited, correlations with other ribonucleoprotein epitopes (La/Sjögren's syndrome B, Ro52KD) may prove complementary to each other and valuable in clinical use. The ordered structure of the HLA-DR3 homologous peptide, exposed to the autoantibody binding, may offer an initiative in further investigation of the role of the HLA haplotypes, associated with the anti-Ro/SSA response, in the autoimmune stimulus.
9463185 [The presence of t(14;18) chromosome translocation in various types of diseases]. 1997 Dec 28 Chromosome translocation of t(14;18) can be detected in most cases of centroblastic/centrocytic follicular lymphomas. They are causative factors of lymphomas but the translocation is present in different other types of diseases although the translocation does not belong to the features of these illnesses. Our present work shows the appearance of t(14;18) translocation in lymphocytes of two patients of Sjögren's syndrome, one that of Whipple disease as well as one of healthy donors' lymphocytes using polymerase chain reaction technique presented in one of our previous publication. The translocation occurred in the mbr of bcl-2 gene in all cases showed and the bcl-2 gene was coupled with the immunoglobulin heavy chain gene. These results are definitively positive concerning the fact of translocation as it has been proved by sequencing of the amplification products showed in our earlier and present paper. Because relatively high percentages of Sjögren's syndrome patients develop later on lymphoma, the early detection of the translocation could result in a more successful diagnosis as well as treatment of the disease. The question arises, however, what role the translocation plays in illnesses such as the Whipple disease or what kind of consequences can be drawn from the appearance of the t(14;18) translocation in lymphocytes of healthy donors.
9385971 Cosmetic saline breast implants: a survey of satisfaction, breast-feeding experience, canc 1997 Nov Saline breast implants have been used for the past 30 years for cosmetic and reconstructive purposes. Data based on a large number of patients are needed to evaluate patient satisfaction, cancer screening practices, problems associated with breast-feeding, and health effects. We conducted a follow-up study of 292 cosmetic saline breast implant patients from Texas and Louisiana who consented to a telephone interview. Using a Likert scale, we measured the patients' degree of satisfaction with the implants. The results indicated that 80.5 percent were satisfied, 73.3 percent would recommend saline breast implants to others, and 65.1 percent felt that implants improved their quality of life. The extent of satisfaction was independent of the number of additional surgeries, age at implant, and follow-up time. Mammography use and breast self-examination were reported with high frequency in this survey. Ninety-one percent of study participants who were between 40 and 49 years of age at time of interview and 94 percent of those 50 or older reported having had at least one mammogram. Breast self-examination was practiced by 75 percent of the women, and 61 percent reported checking their breasts at least once a month. Of the 46 women who had children after augmentation, 28 reported breast-feeding and 8 (28.6 percent) reported having implant-related problems. The patients were asked to provide information regarding a series of conditions for which they sought medical attention. They reported: atypical rheumatoid syndrome (n = 1), Sjögren syndrome (n = 1), atypical autoimmune disorder (n = 1), and chronic fatigue syndrome (n = 2). Overall, women who elected to have saline breast implants were satisfied with their augmentations, had mammograms and performed breast self-examinations more often than nonaugmented women. A few had problems when breast-feeding that could be related to their implants. There were no reports of breast cancer, but five women reported autoimmune conditions.
9830272 Verruca vulgaris developing during cyclosporin therapy for psoriasis vulgaris. 1998 Oct Several kinds of side effects have recently been reported with cyclosporin (CsA) therapy. We describe two patients with psoriasis vulgaris who developed verrucae vulgaris during systemic CsA therapy. In one case, a verrucous nodule appeared on the scalp and grew rapidly in a 54-year-old male with psoriasis vulgaris 29 months after starting CsA therapy. The total dose of CsA was 87.5 g, and average dose of CsA was 2 mg/kg/day. In the other case, multiple verrucae vulgaris developed on the scalp, face, knee, and inguinal region in a 54-year-old male. He had been given CsA for 10 months, the total dose was 45.5 g, and the average dose was 3 mg/kg/day. He also had Sjögren's syndrome. Most of the verrucae vulgaris lesions spontaneously disappeared after stopping the CsA.
9337031 Implant-supported prostheses in patients with Sjögren's syndrome: a clinical report on th 1997 Sep Implant-supported prostheses offer a solution to the problems experienced by edentulous patients with Sjögren's syndrome. These patients often find it very difficult, if not impossible, to wear conventional complete dentures. Three clinical reports provide an insight into some of the difficulties involved in treating patients afflicted with this complex multifactorial disease using the Brånemark system.
11474883 [Vertebral osteoporosis induced by corticoids and cyclosporine ina a patient with Still di 2001 We report on a 29-year-old patient who received high doses of prednisone and cyclosporine for the treatment of Still disease. She consulted about dorsolumbar pain leading to physical disability. She presented multiple vertebral fractures, decreased lumbar bone mineral density in the rank of osteoporosis, high bone turnover, and associated hypercalciuria. Cyclosporine and corticoids induced severe changes in bone and mineral metabolism. All patients in treatment with these drugs should undergo radiology, bone densitometry and biochemical determinations of mineral metabolism at the beginning of therapy. Treatment with high doses of intravenous pamidronate (225 mg in 3 months), calcitonin (200/400 IU daily), tiazide (25 mg/daily), and kinesiotherapy mitigated the pain quickly and she recovered motility. We discuss this approach of treating osteoporosis with corticoids and immunosuppressors according to the present knowledge of bone biology.
11036836 Fas and Fas ligand gene polymorphisms in primary Sjögren's syndrome. 2000 Oct OBJECTIVE: To screen for polymorphisms in the apoptosis regulating Fas and Fas ligand (FasL) genes in patients with primary Sjögren's syndrome (SS), and to explore associations with susceptibility to the disease. METHODS: Polymorphisms in Fas and FasL of 70 patients with primary SS and 72 controls were determined by polymerase chain reaction combined with the restriction enzyme fingerprinting single strand conformation polymorphism technique, verified by automatic sequencing and natural or amplification created restriction site tests. RESULTS: Polymorphisms were found in both Fas and FasL, but only some of the Fas polymorphisms were found in statistically significant differences between patients and controls. Patients displayed a higher frequency of the G/G genotype at position -671 than the controls, and the -671 G allele frequency for primary SS was increased compared to controls. A higher frequency of the C allele at position IVS2nt176 and IVS5nt82 was also found. Of note, the nucleotide variants in intron 2 and intron 5 were associated. CONCLUSION: We describe the positions and frequencies of several polymorphisms in the genes encoding Fas and FasL in patients with primary SS. None caused any amino acid change. Three Fas alleles, of which one is located in the promoter area, showed significant although modest differences between patients and controls.
10942974 [Hematologic and immunologic manifestations of primary cytomegalovirus infections in non-i 2000 Jul PURPOSE: Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection in non-immunocompromised adults can sometimes induce hematological and immunological disorders that may mislead diagnosis. METHODS: Case reports of hospitalized non-immunocompromised adults with positive serology for CMV including the presence of immunoglobulin M or seroconversion were assessed in a retrospective study (1981-1998). We focused on clinical and biological abnormalities showing the role of CMV in disruption of functioning of hematological and immunological systems. RESULTS: Among 115 patients, lymphoma-like syndrome with large adenopathies and/or splenomegaly was diagnosed in eight patients, uncovering underlying CMV infection. Lymphoma was accompanied by hematoma in two patients. Three patients presented leg purpura (with thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura in one case), one patient had cutaneous vasculitis and on other a Still's disease. Blood abnormalities were mononucleosis (64%), anemia (20%), and thrombopenia (25%) often of peripheral or hemolytic origin or due to hypersplenia. Electrophoresis of serum proteins showed an increase in immune globulins in 56% of the cases and monoclonal abnormality in nine cases. Immunological assessment was conducted in 18 patients. At least one abnormality was depicted in ten patients, consisting of either antinuclear, anti-platelet or anti smooth muscle antibodies, cryoglobulinemia, rheumatoid factor, or reduced complement fixation. CONCLUSION: Testing for CMV infection can be of value in case of blood or immunological disorders associated with clinical or biological signs. Although hematological disorders occur early, they are rarely severe. Immunological disorders are rarely symptomatic, but often raise issues regarding the potential genesis of immune diseases in at-risk patients.
10880273 Autologous lacrimal-lymphoid mixed-cell reactions induce dacryoadenitis in rabbits. 2000 Jul Autoimmune dacryoadenitis, such as occurs in Sjögren's syndrome, is a frequent cause of lacrimal insufficiency, which in turn can cause dry eye. Rabbits are used frequently to test ocular therapies. Our goal is to develop a rabbit model of autoimmune dacryoadenitis to identify and test candidate therapies. Our approach arises from the observations that lacrimal gland epithelial cells stimulate proliferation in cultured autologous lymphocyte preparations and that an anti-MHC II antibody blocks this proliferation. The purpose of this study was to determine if injecting this proliferating autologous mixed cell reaction could induce dacryoadenitis in rabbits. After establishing that irradiated lacrimal gland epithelial cells stimulate proliferation in autologous peripheral blood lymphocytes, irradiated cells from a single lacrimal gland were co-cultured with autologous lymphocytes and after 5 days the mixed cell reaction, or components of the reaction, were injected into the contralateral lacrimal gland of the donor rabbit. After 2 weeks, the injected glands were removed and lymphocytic infiltration quantitated using digital image analysis of immunostained histological sections. Injecting an autologous mixed cell reaction of co-cultured irradiated lacrimal gland epithelial cells and lymphocytes reliably induced abundant periductal foci of >200 lymphocytes expressing CD18 and/or a rabbit thymic lymphocyte antigen (RTLA). Injection of medium or autologous lymphocytes alone elicited little response; injections of lymphocytes cultured with lysates of lacrimal gland epithelial cells elicited variable, modest responses. These lysates did not stimulate proliferation in the mixed cell reaction and proliferation was not observed if a porous membrane separated co-cultured lacrimal gland cells and lymphocytes. The results demonstrate that injecting an autologous mixed cell reaction of lacrimal gland epithelial cells and lymphocytes reliably creates a model of autoimmune dacryoadenitis. The relative ineffectiveness of components of the reaction to do the same supports the hypothesis that lacrimal gland epithelial cells trigger or exacerbate lacrimal autoimmune disease by presentation of autoantigens via MHC II. This experimental system can aid efforts to further understand mechanisms of diseases, and to identify and test candidate therapies.
10632566 Changes of glycosylation of serum proteins in Sjögren's syndrome: correlation with interl 1999 Oct A strong increase of the affinity for concanavalin A (Con A) of serum alpha 2-macroglobulin, a non-acute-phase protein, was observed by lectin blotting in patients with Sjögren's syndrome (SS). On the contrary, the total Con A reactivity of serum proteins, measured by enzyme-linked lectin assay, was not augmented in SS, compared with normal donors, probably because positive changes of certain proteins were balanced by negative changes of others, as suggested by lectin blotting analysis. However, a significant increase of total Con A reactivity occurred in subjects with increased serum concentrations of soluble interleukin (IL)-2 receptor, compared with patients with normal concentrations of this marker of disease activity. On the other hand, the same parameter did not appear to be different in patients with normal or increased serum concentrations of IL-6, indicating that this cytokine was not probably responsible for the changes of glycosylation described here.
10380837 Adverse drug reactions in Sjögren's syndrome. Frequent allergic reactions and a specific 1999 Trimethoprim-associated systemic reactions, including aseptic meningitis, have been reported to be very rare adverse drug reactions. Patients with Sjögren's syndrome have been overrepresented, but no epidemiological surveys of the reaction have been conducted. To study the overall frequency of adverse drug reactions, and especially trimethoprim-associated reactions, we interviewed 85 primary Sjögren's syndrome patients and compared the results with those of 45 similarly interviewed osteoarthritis patients. Antimicrobial allergy was more common among Sjögren's syndrome patients than in osteoarthritis patients (46% vs. 27%). Eleven Sjögren's syndrome patients (13%), but no osteoarthritis patient, had experienced at least a partial, non-allergic systemic reaction with trimethoprim. Of them five (6%) had had a full-blown systemic reaction including both chills/fever and headache/backache and at least one of the following: malaise, vomiting, dizziness, confusion or meningeal irritation. Our findings confirm that allergic reactions to antimicrobials are frequent in Sjögren's syndrome. In addition to allergic reactions Sjögren's syndrome patients are prone to a specific trimethoprim-associated systemic reaction. This should be remembered when prescribing antimicrobials.
9923658 A novel and simple immunocapture assay for determination of gelatinase-B (MMP-9) activitie 1998 Dec Here we describe a new principle for accessing the activity of the different members of the human matrix-metalloproteinases (MMPs) by a colorimetric assay. Using protein engineering, a modified pro-urokinase was made in which the activation sequence, normally recognized by plasmin (ProArgPheLys/IleIleGlyGly), was replaced by a sequence that is specifically recognized by MMPs (ArgProLeuGly/IleIleGlyGly). The active urokinase resulting from the activation of this modified pro-urokinase by MMPs can be measured directly using a chromogenic peptide substrate for urokinase. The assay has been made specific for MMP-9 using an MMP-9 specific monoclonal antibody. Using this antibody MMP-9 is captured from biological fluids or tissue culture media, and MMP-activity of both active and latent MMP-9 can be analysed. We determined the gelatinase-B (MMP-9) activity present in saliva from patients with Sjögren's syndrome. Using a general gelatinase assay with radioactively-labeled gelatinated collagen it was observed that gelatinase activity was slightly, though not significantly, increased in patients: general gelatinase activity in patients versus healthy controls: 17.0 +/- 4.9 vs 12.2 +/- 2.5 x 10(4) cpm/ml (p > 0.05, and 44.0 (4.0 vs 36.1 +/- 1.9 x 10(4) cpm/ml (p > 0.05), for active and latent gelatinase, respectively. However, using the immunocapture activity assay (using modified urokinase) specifically MMP-9 activity was measured, which was significantly increased in saliva from patients compared to healthy controls: MMP-9 (already active): patients 8.9 +/- 2.5 U/mg, controls 1.0 +/- 0.5 U/mg (p = 0.002); latent plus active MMP-9: patients 53.1 +/- 9.8 U/mg, controls 16.5 +/- 2.6 U/mg (p = 0.01). This assay, measuring MMP-9 activity using modified pro-urokinase as a substrate can easily be adapted for the specific detection of the various members of the MMP-family or other difficult to measure proteases, in a format that can be used for high throughput screening of compounds or samples.
9634971 Sensitivity and specificity of a screening questionnaire for dry eye. 1998 We developed a Dry Eye Screening Questionnaire for the Dry Eye Epidemiology Projects (DEEP), a proposed large epidemiologic study. All persons who screen positive and a small sample of those who screen negative are to be invited for a diagnostic examination. Containing 19 questions, of which only 14 were used in the analysis, the questionnaire takes only a few minutes to administer on the telephone. To construct a discriminator function and thus a ROC curve, we used stepwise multiple regression on screening responses from a clinic series of 77 cases and 79 controls. Stepwise regression may incorporate into the predictor equation variables whose relation to the predicted is only accidental. Further, misclassification rates are underestimated by the resubstitution method, in which the proportion misclassified is obtained from the same dataset in which the discriminator function was fitted. To counter these problems, we randomly divided the data in half. We chose as predictors only those variables (Dry and Irritated) selected by stepwise regression in both data halves. We estimated unbiased misclassification rates using the unbiased test set method, in which the discriminator is fitted in one data half, and misclassification rates are calculated in the other half. Comparison of ROC curves arising from resubstitution and test set estimates indicates that resubstitution bias in misclassification rate estimation is negligible in our data. A resubstitution estimate made on the entire data is thus preferred. The resulting sensitivity/specificity values are reasonably high (e.g., 60%/94%), suggesting that the questionnaire will be a useful screening tool in the DEEP study. A second discriminator using the sum of all 14 responses is similar in its misclassification characteristics to the first discriminator. A second potentially significant error, arising from applying results from a clinical series to a general population, will be investigated as survey results in DEEP become available.
9152796 Malignant lymphoma in patients with rheumatic diseases other than Sjögren's syndrome: a c 1997 Apr We conducted clinicopathologic and immunohistochemical analysis of five patients with malignant lymphoma complicating rheumatic diseases other than Sjögren's syndrome, and reviewed 26 cases of similar lesions reported in the Japanese literature over a 17-year period. All five patients were women ranging in age from 31 to 74 years (mean 55 years). Two of them fulfilled the diagnostic criteria for systemic lupus erythematosus, two for dermatomyositis and one for progressive systemic sclerosis. The use of immunosuppressive drugs before the onset of malignant lymphoma was recorded in four patients. All the biopsied or resected specimens showed non-Hodgkin's lymphoma of B-cell phenotype. Three were nodal in origin (one diffuse mixed, one diffuse large cell and one immunoblastic) and two were extranodal (one low-grade B-cell lymphoma of mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue and one diffuse large cell). In three of four cases examined, Epstein-Barr virus-encoded small RNAs were identified in a small to large number of the lymphoma cells by in situ hybridization. Our study showed that the clinicopathological features of malignant lymphomas complicating rheumatic disease in Japan were similar to those in England and the USA. Furthermore, our findings suggested no evidence for a causative association between iatrogenic immunosuppression due to methotrexate therapy and the development of EBV-related lymphoid neoplasms.
11693172 Reduced levels of insulin-like growth factor-1 receptor (IGF-1R) suppress cellular signali 2001 Feb The nonobese diabetic mouse (NOD) develops destruction and functional impairment of salivary and lachrymal glands, experimental autoimmune sialadenitis (EAS), resembling and representing a model for Sjogren's syndrome (SS). To investigate the mechanisms of tissue destruction in EAS, we analyzed a cell survival promoter insulin-like growth factor-1 receptor (IGF-1R) in the submandibular glands of NOD mice with this disease. We also evaluated the expression of a downstream effector of IGF-1R, BAD. Receptor-binding autoradiography revealed that the IGF-1R levels in submandibular glands from young NOD mice were lower than those in adult NOD mice. Immunofluorescence staining demonstrated that BAD expression in the epithelial cells of the submandibular gland was consistently enhanced throughout the course of EAS in NOD mice. These findings suggest that a reduction in the levels of IGF-1R induces a defective glandular homeostasis in the submandibular gland epithelial cells and triggers EAS.
11665980 Novel fragments of the Sjögren's syndrome autoantigens alpha-fodrin and type 3 muscarinic 2001 Oct OBJECTIVE: To determine whether the Sjögren's syndrome autoantigens alpha-fodrin and the type 3 muscarinic acetylcholine receptor (M3R) are cleaved during cytotoxic lymphocyte granule-induced death, to yield novel fragments. METHODS: Primary salivary gland epithelial cells, human salivary gland cells, and HeLa cells were incubated with granule contents. The susceptibility to cleavage and the generation of novel fragments of Sjögren's syndrome autoantigens in this form of apoptosis was assessed by immunoblotting. Cleavage of M3R was further characterized by assays performed on the M3R molecule generated by in vitro translation. RESULTS: This study demonstrated that alpha-fodrin was uniquely cleaved during cytotoxic lymphocyte granule-induced cell death, generating a 155-kd fragment distinct from those generated by caspase 3 in other forms of apoptosis. The study also demonstrates that M3R (which is restricted in expression to the peripheral autonomic organs) was efficiently cleaved by granzyme B (but not by caspases) at several sites, both in vitro and in intact cells. This is the first description of cleavage of a transmembrane autoantigen by granzyme B. CONCLUSION: The observation that both ubiquitously expressed autoantigens (e.g., alpha-fodrin, La, and nuclear mitotic apparatus protein) and tissue-restricted autoantigens (e.g., M3R) targeted in Sjögren's syndrome are specifically cleaved by granzyme B, generating unique fragments, strongly suggests that a common biochemical event (novel autoantigen cleavage during granule-induced epithelial cell death) is responsible for selecting this apparently unconnected group of molecules for a high-titer autoantibody response. The data focus attention on the role of cytotoxic lymphocytes in the initiation and propagation of Sjögren's syndrome.
11378564 MALT lymphoma originating in breast and uvula. 2001 Apr A case of marginal zone B cell lymphoma of MALT type arising in the uvula and breast is reported. The patient, a 30-year-old woman who delivered a child and lactated in 1997, was suffering from Sjögren syndrome (SS). She was diagnosed with MALT lymphoma after a biopsy of the right breast and uvula. To investigate the relationship of the delivery, lactation and MALT lymphoma, we examined the immunohistochemical analysis of hormone receptors. As a result, lymphoid cells of the breast were stained with anti-progesterone receptor antibodies in the cytoplasm. Consequently, the MALT lymphoma of the uvula appeared to be associated with SS. Moreover, hormones such as progesterone may have influenced the breast involvement of MALT lymphoma in our case.
9844767 DRB1*15 and DRB1*03 extended haplotype interaction in primary Sjögren's syndrome genetic 1998 Nov OBJECTIVE: Sjögren's syndrome (SS) is a chronic autoimmune disease with a genetic component. Among the genetic factors, the role of HLA class II genes has been suggested and a positive association with DRB1*03 allele has been described. However, there is no consensus on a unique HLA locus for this disease nor on the role of the HLA gene product in the disease. The aim of this study was to analyse prospectively MHC region involvement in the genetic susceptibility to SS by studying DRB1, DQB1, DPB1, TAP1, TAP2 genes and TNF microsatellites in a population of 45 primary SS patients. METHODS: All the polymorphisms studied were analysed at the genomic level using PCR-based methodologies. RESULTS: Concerning HLA class II alleles, the highest relative risk to develop the disease was associated with the DRB1*15-DRB1*0301 heterozygous genotype (17.8% vs 3.5% in controls - pc < 0.005, OR = 5.96). Analysing other genes located on the same region allowed us to further determine the DRB1 haplotypes at risk. For instance, the DRB1*0301 haplotype involved in the genetic susceptibility to SS was more often associated with the DPB1* 0201 and TNF-a2 alleles in SS patients than in controls. Moreover, all the DRB1*15-DRB1*0301 SS patients were TAP1-0101, TAP2-0101 homozygous, allowing us to deduce the extended genotype at risk as DRB1*15, TAP1-0101, TAP2-0101/DRB1*0301, TAP1-0101, TAP2-0101 which was carried by only 3 controls out of the 130 tested (p < 0.01, OR = 6.68). CONCLUSION: This study confirmed the role of the MHC region in the susceptibility to Sjögren's disease, and for the first time suggests a synergistic interaction between two HLA-DRB1 extended haplotypes in the genetic mechanisms controlling the disease.
9364316 Hemolytic uremic syndrome/thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (HUS/TTP) complicating adult 1997 Sep Coexistence of hemolytic uremic syndrome/thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (HUS/TTP) and adult Still's disease is extremely rare. We describe the case history of a 22-year-old young man who presented with evidence of a thrombotic microangiopathy complicated by dialysis-dependent renal failure, encephalopathy, and an ischemic retinopathy. The most important and novel feature of this case was the dramatic and sustained clinical remission of the TMA induced by intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) after failure of plasmapheresis and glucocorticoids to do so.
9324025 Molecular cloning of a novel 97-kd Golgi complex autoantigen associated with Sjögren's sy 1997 Sep OBJECTIVE: To identify a Golgi complex autoantigen bound by Sjögren's syndrome (SS) autoantibodies. METHODS: Serum from a patient with secondary SS and anti-Golgi antibodies was used as a probe to isolate a complementary DNA (cDNA) insert from a HeLa cDNA library. RESULTS: A 3.7-kb cDNA encoding a 56-kd recombinant protein was immunoprecipitated by the human anti-Golgi serum and immune rabbit serum. Western blot analysis showed that the immune rabbit sera recognized a protein of 97 kd (golgin-97), suggesting that the isolated clone contained a partial cDNA. The 5' upstream sequence was obtained by rapid amplification of the cDNA ends. The complete cDNA contained 4,860 basepairs, encoding a protein with a calculated Mr of 88 kd. Antibodies to golgin-97 were found in 12 (20%) of 60 sera known to have anti-Golgi autoantibodies, and the majority of these sera (8 of 12, or 75%) were from patients who had secondary SS. CONCLUSION: Golgin-97 is a unique Golgi complex antigen that appears to be a target of SS autoantibodies.