Rheumatoid Arthritis: Labetoulle M

Labetoulle M, Mariette X, Joyeau L, Baudouin C, Kirsch O, Offret H, Frau E. · Service d'Ophtalmologie, Hospital de Bicetre, Assistance Publique-Hopitaux de Paris, 94275 Le Kremlin-Bicetre, Cedex, France. · J Fr Ophtalmol. · Pubmed #12399722 links to  free full text

Abstract: PURPOSE: To determine the cut-off value of the phenol red-impregnated thread test (Zone-Quick((R)), Menicon trade mark ) for the diagnosis of ocular sicca syndrome using the ROC (receiver operating characteristic) procedure and to estimate the agreement with the Schirmer I test (without anesthetics). MATERIAL: and methods: Fifty-four consecutive patients (including 50 females) with dry eyes, presumably related to an immune disorder, were recruited on the basis of subjective ocular symptoms and medical history (sicca syndrome). Both the phenol red thread (PRT) test and the Schirmer I test (testing periods, 15s and 5min, respectively) were performed in both eyes in random order. Only the lowest result for each test was used in statistical analyses. The same procedure was applied to 29 normal volunteers (no subjective symptoms). The patient and the control groups were matched for age and gender (mean age, 58.1 and 59.6, respectively). RESULTS: The ROC procedure showed that a cut-off value of 12mm in the PRT test provided the best ratio between sensitivity and specificity (56% and 69%, respectively) for the detection of dry eyes. Using this threshold, the agreement with the Schirmer I test was highly significant (kappa test; P<10(-3)). However, discordant results were observed in 32% of subjects. CONCLUSION: Giving a cut-off value at 12mm, the sensitivity and specificity of the PRT are 56% and 69%, respectively. Even if the agreement with the Schirmer I test is highly significant, 32% of patients have discordant results. These two methods of functional assessment of tear secretion are therefore complementary and further studies remain necessary to better understand the place of both tests in clinical practice.

Gottenberg JE, Cagnard N, Lucchesi C, Letourneur F, Mistou S, Lazure T, Jacques S, Ba N, Ittah M, Lepajolec C, Labetoulle M, Ardizzone M, Sibilia J, Fournier C, Chiocchia G, Mariette X. · Institut Pour la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale E 802 and Service de Rhumatologie, Hôpital de Bicêtre, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, 94275 Le Kremlin Bicêtre, France. · Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. · Pubmed #16477017 links to  free full text

Abstract: Gene expression analysis of target organs might help provide new insights into the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases. We used global gene expression profiling of minor salivary glands to identify patterns of gene expression in patients with primary Sjögren's syndrome (pSS), a common and prototypic systemic autoimmune disease. Gene expression analysis allowed for differentiating most patients with pSS from controls. The expression of 23 genes in the IFN pathways, including two Toll-like receptors (TLR8 and TLR9), was significantly different between patients and controls. Furthermore, the increased expression of IFN-inducible genes, BAFF and IFN-induced transmembrane protein 1, was also demonstrated in ocular epithelial cells by quantitative RT-PCR. In vitro activation showed that these genes were effectively modulated by IFNs in salivary gland epithelial cells, the target cells of autoimmunity in pSS. The activation of IFN pathways led us to investigate whether plasmacytoid dendritic cells were recruited in salivary glands. These IFN-producing cells were detected by immunohistochemistry in all patients with pSS, whereas none was observed in controls. In conclusion, our results support the pathogenic interaction between the innate and adaptive immune system in pSS. The persistence of the IFN signature might be related to a vicious circle, in which the environment interacts with genetic factors to drive the stimulation of salivary TLRs.