In the current study, Tomosugi and his associates analyzed the protein content of tears obtained from 31 patients diagnosed with Sjgrens syndrome (on the basis of conventional tests) and compared the results to protein markers obtained from the tears of 57 subjects who did not have the syndrome. Using a new analytical technique called surface enhanced laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (SELDI-TOF-MS), the researchers identified about 10 protein biomarkers that appear to be specific for Sjgrens.
In addition to helping diagnose the disease, the tear biomarkers also show potential for noninvasive monitoring of disease activity and progress, the researchers say. The biomarkers may also provide insights into the underlying mechanisms of the syndrome, such as those involving inflammation and glandular destruction, they say.
The exact cause of the condition is unknown. In general, researchers believe that the immune system attacks the glands that produce tears and saliva, resulting in dry mouth and dry eyes. Although the disease is generally not life-threatening, it can produce serious symptoms, including fatigue, difficulty swallowing, joint pain and eye problems. Because its symptoms often accompany other conditions, such as arthritis or lupus, and vary among individuals, the disease is often misdiagnosed or undiagnosed.
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Contact: Mark Sampson
m_sampson@acs.org
202-872-4400
American Chemical Society
11-Apr-2005