Autoimmune Diseases & Genetics

[diamondheart]

I ran across this while researching the DQ1 genetics. Here are some papers showing the links between certain HLA-DQ genes and Sjogren's syndrome. Sjogren's syndrome (http://sjogrens.org/syndrome/) is an autoimmune disease that attacks the moisture producing glands of the body, causing dry eyes and dry mouth.

In this first article, and most the other ones I have also linked, it doesn't link Sjogren's syndrome with gluten. What it does do is that it shows that the DQ1 and the DQ2 genes are linked with this disease! I have two copies of gluten sensitive DQ1 gene and my aunt has Sjogren's syndrome. Could there be a genetic link? WARNING: there is lots of genetic jargon in these papers. Here's a link to brush up on HLA typing and Celiac disease (http://www.enabling.org/ia/celiac/cel-hla.html).

Genetics of Sjogren's Syndrome (http://www.sjogrensyndrom.se/100-site/spdfs/S20.pdf#search=%22DQ1%20gene%22)
From the book, "State of the Art Lectures on Sjögren's Syndrome (http://www.sjogrensyndrom.se/100-site/index100.html)"
Editors Per Eriksson and Roland Jonsson
Hygiea, volume 108, part 1,1999, with permission.

Another paper, but a little older news from 1998:
"The DQB1*0201-*0602 genotype was also significantly increased in primary SS". http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?itool=abstractplus&db=pubmed&cmd=Retrieve&dopt=abstractplus&list_uids=9598888

Something a little newer:
HLA markers and clinical characteristics in Caucasians with primary Sjogren's syndrome. J Rheumatol. 2001 Jul;28(7):1554-62. (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?itool=abstractplus&db=pubmed&cmd=Retrieve&dopt=abstractplus&list_uids=11469461)
Of note is that "DQB1*02/DQB1*0602 heterozygosity" is implicated, as in the paper above.

I'm throwing this paper in for fun about other autoimmune diseases and celiac disease. I think Cara already provided it under another thread:
http://www.pubmedcentral.gov/articlerender.fcgi?artid=96126


Mike also provided this link to another discussion on the other celiac board about autoimmune disease that has some interesting stuff in it.

This was also a good discussion:
http://www.glutenfreeforum.com/index...opic=23411&hl= (http://www.glutenfreeforum.com/index.php?showtopic=23411&hl=)

Ok folks, let's get this party started over here!

Claire

[annelb]

Claire, have you seen this article? SALIVARY GLANDS AND SALIVA
Number 6
Current issues in Sjögren's syndrome http://www.blackwell-synergy.com/doi/full/10.1034/j.1601-0825.2002.02846.x
I have not read the complete paper but it is available,

Here is an excerpt: Sjögren's syndrome patients with DQ1/DQ2 alleles have a much more severe autoimmune disease than patients with any other allelic combination at HLA-DQ (Harley et al, 1986). The DR3-DQ2 haplotype has been indicated as a possible marker for a more active immune response in Finnish Sjögren's patients (Kerttula et al, 1996).


Anne

[diamondheart]

Claire, have you seen this article? SALIVARY GLANDS AND SALIVA
Number 6
Current issues in Sjögren's syndrome http://www.blackwell-synergy.com/links/doi/10.1034/j.1601-0825.2002.02846.x/full/?cookieSet=1

Anne

Hi Anne, The link didn't work, and I couldn't find it by searching it. Could you provide it again?

Thanks, Claire

[annelb]

I think I have fixed the link. http://www.blackwell-synergy.com/doi/full/10.1034/j.1601-0825.2002.02846.x

If this one doesn't work, here is another way to get there. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=pubmed&cmd=Retrieve&dopt=AbstractPlus&list_uids=12108757&query_hl=27&itool=pubmed_docsum
Anne

[diamondheart]

More tidbits from Anne's article:

Environmental Factors

Furthermore, a possible relationship between Sjögren's syndrome and Helicobacter pylori infection has been suspected. In both these conditions there are increased risks of developing mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma (Isaacson and Spencer 1987; Parsonnet et al, 1994). It has been suggested that infection with H. pylori might trigger a widespread clonal B-cell disorder in Sjögren's syndrome (De Vita et al, 1996). Studies on antibodies against H. pylori in Sjögren's syndrome though have given conflicting results as to whether seroreactivity is elevated or not (Showji et al, 1996; Aragona et al, 1999; Theander et al, 2001). However, improvement of sicca symptoms has been indicated after eradication treatment of H. pylori (Figura et al, 1994)

Signs & Symptoms

A wide range of neurological disorders has been reported, the peripheral nervous system being most frequently affected (neuropathy) but occasionally also CNS.

Claire