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Comparative Analysis of Autoantibodies Against
a-Fodrin in Serum, Tear Fluid, and Saliva from
Patients with Sjögren's Syndrome
SULE YAVUZ, EBRU TOKER, MUGE BICAKCIGIL, GONCA MUMCU, and SEZEN CAKIR ABSTRACT. Objective. To evaluate levels of IgA and IgG antibodies against a-fodrin in serum, tear fluid, and saliva and compare them with anti-Ro and anti-La antibody levels in the same samples of patients with Sjögren's syndrome (SS). Methods. Samples from 25 patients with SS (17 primary and 8 secondary), 8 patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), and 7 patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) as well as 20 healthy blood donor controls were collected. Antibodies were measured using ELISA. Results. Although 40% of patients with primary SS had IgG anti-a-fodrin in their sera, it was also found in 36% and 32% of samples of their tear fluid and saliva, respectively. IgA a-fodrin antibodies were detected in 32% of SS sera, 20% of tear fluid samples, and 32% of saliva samples. Although the level of IgG anti-a-fodrin was significantly greater in serum, tear fluid, and saliva of SS patients compared to controls (p < 0.001), a significant difference was observed only in serum and saliva. While anti-Ro was detected in 48%, 56%, and 24% of serum, tear fluid, and saliva samples, respectively, anti-La was found in 40%, 44%, and 28%. Significant association was observed between serum IgG antibodies against a-fodrin and dry eye symptom score and rose bengal staining score. A negative association was also noted between tear IgA antibodies against a-fodrin and Schirmer I test. Conclusion. Correlation of IgG and IgA antibodies against a-fodrin with the severity of eye involvement suggests that these autoantibodies may be considered activation markers of SS. (J Rheumatol 2006;33:1289–92) Key Indexing Terms:
SJOGREN'S SYNDROME
From the Departments of Rheumatology and Ophthalmology, and the Faculties of Health Education, University of Marmara Medical School, Istanbul, Turkey. S. Yavuz, MD, Associate Professor, Department of Rheumatology; E. Toker, Associate Professor, Department of Ophthalmology; M. Bicakcigil, Fellow, Department of Rheumatology; G. Mumcu, PhD, Assistant Professor of Public Health; S. Cakir, Ophthalmologist, Department of Ophthalmology. Address reprint requests to Dr. S. Yavuz, Sedef Cad. Ata-2/5 blok D: 145 Atasehir, Istanbul, Turkey. E-mail: suleyavuz@gmail.com Accepted for publication February 14, 2006.
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