Autoantibodies in Sjogren's syndrome and its classification criteria

Sjogren's syndrome (SS) is a systemic autoimmune disease characterized by immune-mediated injury of exocrine glands. Extensive lymphocytic infiltrates may contribute to the destruction and loss of secretory function of glands. B-cell hyperactivity is a key feature of the disease resulting in the production of a diverse array of autoantibodies in these patients. Although not specific for SS, anti-Ro/SSA and anti-La/SSB antibodies have been useful biomarkers for disease classification and diagnosis. During recent years, novel autoantibodies have been discovered in SS. In this review, we summarize the historical role and clinical relevance that autoantibodies have played in the classification criteria of SjOgren's syndrome, discuss laboratory aspects in antibody detection and review the role of novel autoantibodies in predicting particular stages of the disease, clinical phenotypes and long-term complications.

Automated summary

Sjogren's syndrome (SS) is an autoimmune disease characterized by immune-mediated injury of exocrine glands. B-cell hyperactivity leads to the production of various autoantibodies, which play important roles in disease classification and diagnosis. Novel autoantibodies have been discovered and found to be useful in predicting different stages, clinical phenotypes, and long-term complications of the disease.