Enhanced neutrophil and eosinophil adhesion in patients with primary Sjögren's syndrome.

OBJECTIVE

To study granulocyte adhesion to E-selectin, VCAM-1 and ICAM-1 in patients with primary Sjögren's syndrome (pSS). In previous studies diminished neutrophil adhesion has been shown as measured by the nylon fiber method.

METHODS

Neutrophil and eosinophil adhesion to the adhesion molecules E-selectin, VCAM-1 and ICAM-1 were measured using transfected fibroblasts. The cell surface expression of the integrin proteins CD11a, CD11b, CD18 and CD29 on neutrophils was assayed by means of flow cytometry.

RESULTS

Neutrophils and eosinophils from patients with pSS had elevated basal adhesion in the presence of Mn2+ as compared with controls (basal adhesion was considered to be the adhesion to untransfected fibroblasts). Granulocyte adhesion to E-selectin was also elevated. No differences were seen between patients and controls in cell surface expression of the integrin proteins CD11a, CD11b, CD18 and CD29 on neutrophils, nor was there any difference in these parameters between patients with and without extra glandular symptoms.

CONCLUSIONS

These results suggest that blood neutrophils and eosinophils are activated in pSS. Accordingly they do not confirm results from earlier studies of impaired neutrophil adhesion in pSS.