[The function of osteopontin and other cytokines in the diagnosis of Sjoigren's syndrome].

PURPOSE: To explore the relationship of serum concentrations of osteopontin(OPN), TNF-α and TGF-β1 in Sjoigren's syndrome patients.

METHODS

Forty Sjoigren's syndrome (SS) patients were determined by pathological examination, which included 15 primary SS and 25 secondary SS. Serum level of OPN, TNF-alpha and TGF-beta 1 were examined by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Multiple correlation analysis was performed using SPSS13.0 software package.

RESULTS

Serum OPN, TNF-alpha levels increased in SS compared with healthy subjects (P<0.05).Serum TGF-beta 1 level in secondary SS significantly increased than primary SS (P<0.05). On the contrary, serum TGF-beta1 level had no significant change compared with the controls. OPN was correlated with TGF-beta 1.

CONCLUSIONS

OPN and TNF-alpha may be used as adjunctive diagnostic parameter. TGF-beta 1 can be used as an index in differential diagnosis of primary and secondary SS. OPN and TGF-beta 1 have different effects and interactions between them, demonstrating mutuality, diversity and integrity of the cytokine network.