gms | German Medical Science

Sjögren's syndrome is a common autoimmune disorder of unknown etiology. Family and twin studies have revealed a contribution of genetic risk factors to its etiology. Furthermore, chronic viral infections, such as cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection, may trigger the disease. The immune response against cytomegalovirus is genetically determined. Peptides encoded by CMV are presented by infected cells on the receptor MIC-A and are recognized by T and NK cells via the receptor NKG2D. As a consequence, those cells get activated and lyse the infected cells. In prior studies supported by the "Arbeitsgruppe Trockenes Auge" an association of Sjögren's syndrome with alleles of the receptors MIC-A and NKG2D was revealed. Both alleles are associated with a reduction of recognition of CMV infected cells by T cells.

In the project proposed now we want to study, whether replication of CMV in peripheral blood of patient may trigger Sjögren's syndrome. Therefore, we want to compare replication of CMV in blood of patients with Sjögren's syndrome in remission and in active disease and of blood donors using a sensitive quantitative PCR.