TY - JOUR
T1 - Diagnostic significance of salivary and glandular siglec-5 in Sjögren disease and non-Sjögren sicca
AU - Castro, Fernanda Luiza Araújo de Lima
AU - Nunes, Laiz Fernandes Mendes
AU - Felix, Fernanda Aragão
AU - Oliveira, Sicília Rezende
AU - de Arruda, José Alcides Almeida
AU - Drumond, Victor Zanetti
AU - Abreu, Lucas Guimarães
AU - Rocha, Anna Christina Higino
AU - Lara, Camila Munayer
AU - Dos Santos, Harim Tavares
AU - de Castro, Maurício Augusto Aquino
AU - Ferreira, Gilda Aparecida
AU - Tanure, Leandro Augusto
AU - Calderaro, Débora Cerqueira
AU - Silva, Tarcília Aparecida
AU - de Sousa, Sílvia Ferreira
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© The Author(s) 2026.
PY - 2026/12
Y1 - 2026/12
N2 - Background: Sjögren disease (SjD) has a multifactorial pathogenesis that is not fully understood. Perceptions of disease severity shape healthcare-seeking behavior and engagement with diagnostic assessments, underscoring the need for objective biomarkers. Sialic acid-binding immunoglobulin-like lectins (siglecs) have emerged as relevant mediators in SjD immunopathology. Purpose: To investigate the diagnostic performance of siglec-5 expression in minor salivary gland (MSG) tissue and saliva samples from individuals with SjD and non-Sjögren sicca (nSS). Methods: A total of 109 participants with SjD and 41 with nSS were included. Salivary concentrations of siglec-5/siglec-14, inflammatory markers (IL-6, IL-8, IFN-γ, IgA, IgG, nitric oxide [NO]), and neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) were measured. Immunohistochemical analyses of siglec-5, CD20, and CD3 were performed on MSG specimens. The data were analyzed descriptively and analytically. Results: Salivary levels of siglec-5/siglec-14, IgA, IgG, NO, and NETs were significantly higher in the SjD group compared to the nSS group. Elevated salivary levels of siglec-5/siglec-14, IL-6, and IgG were found among individuals with severe dryness scores. Immunohistochemical staining for siglec-5 was more pronounced in SjD samples and significantly associated with CD20 and CD3 positivity as well as the presence of xerophthalmia. Tissue infiltration by siglec-5 had greater diagnostic accuracy for SjD (area under the curve: 73.1% [95% confidence interval: 58.2–85]) than both salivary and ocular sicca tests. Conclusion: Siglec-5 expression was increased in individuals with SjD, supporting its involvement in disease pathogenesis as well as its potential usefulness as a biomarker. The availability of objective salivary and tissue markers may improve diagnostic pathways for SjD, thereby facilitating patient engagement.
AB - Background: Sjögren disease (SjD) has a multifactorial pathogenesis that is not fully understood. Perceptions of disease severity shape healthcare-seeking behavior and engagement with diagnostic assessments, underscoring the need for objective biomarkers. Sialic acid-binding immunoglobulin-like lectins (siglecs) have emerged as relevant mediators in SjD immunopathology. Purpose: To investigate the diagnostic performance of siglec-5 expression in minor salivary gland (MSG) tissue and saliva samples from individuals with SjD and non-Sjögren sicca (nSS). Methods: A total of 109 participants with SjD and 41 with nSS were included. Salivary concentrations of siglec-5/siglec-14, inflammatory markers (IL-6, IL-8, IFN-γ, IgA, IgG, nitric oxide [NO]), and neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) were measured. Immunohistochemical analyses of siglec-5, CD20, and CD3 were performed on MSG specimens. The data were analyzed descriptively and analytically. Results: Salivary levels of siglec-5/siglec-14, IgA, IgG, NO, and NETs were significantly higher in the SjD group compared to the nSS group. Elevated salivary levels of siglec-5/siglec-14, IL-6, and IgG were found among individuals with severe dryness scores. Immunohistochemical staining for siglec-5 was more pronounced in SjD samples and significantly associated with CD20 and CD3 positivity as well as the presence of xerophthalmia. Tissue infiltration by siglec-5 had greater diagnostic accuracy for SjD (area under the curve: 73.1% [95% confidence interval: 58.2–85]) than both salivary and ocular sicca tests. Conclusion: Siglec-5 expression was increased in individuals with SjD, supporting its involvement in disease pathogenesis as well as its potential usefulness as a biomarker. The availability of objective salivary and tissue markers may improve diagnostic pathways for SjD, thereby facilitating patient engagement.
KW - Biomarkers
KW - Cytokines
KW - Non-Sjögren sicca
KW - Saliva
KW - Siglec-5
KW - Sjögren’s disease
UR - https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/105031130201
U2 - 10.1007/s00011-026-02188-8
DO - 10.1007/s00011-026-02188-8
M3 - Article
C2 - 41741798
AN - SCOPUS:105031130201
SN - 1023-3830
VL - 75
JO - Inflammation Research
JF - Inflammation Research
IS - 1
M1 - 42
ER -