Estrogen receptor ß is high in the minor salivary glands of female patients with primary Sjo<spacing diaeresis>gren's syndrome

Aim of the work: This study aimed to investigate the expression levels of estrogen receptor (ER) beta (ss) and alpha (alpha) in the minor salivary gland tissues of patients with primary Sjo center dot gren's syndrome (pSS), which has a female predominance and reaches its highest incidence at menopause. Patients and methods: Sixty-six female pSS patients and 23 matched control were studied. The ER ss and alpha expressions from salivary gland tissues were immunohistochemically evaluated. The European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) Sjo center dot gren's syndrome disease activity index was assessed. Results: The 66 female pSS patients had a mean age of 50.1 +/- 13.4 years. The ESSDAI was 7 (9-13). The ER ss expressions of the salivary gland were significantly higher in pSS patients than in control both ductal (B: 0.68, OR 1.97, 95 %CI 1.34-2.88, p = 0.001) and acinar (B: 2.18, OR 8.87, 95 %CI 2.34-33.6, p = 0.001). Lymphocytes in the salivary gland infiltrate of pSS cases expressed high levels of ER ss (8, 6-8). Expression of ER alpha was not detected in the minor salivary gland ductal and acini epithelium and lymphocytes of pSS and control. No significant relationship was found between ER ss expression levels and complement, rheumatoid factor, immunoglobulin G, anti-nuclear antibody, the ESSDAI and the presence of menopause in pSS patients. Conclusion: pSS patients have higher salivary gland ER ss expression (ductal and acinar epithelial) than controls, and lymphocytes infiltrating the salivary gland in pSS express high levels of ER ss. This study showed that salivary gland ER expression levels in pSS are different from controls, regardless of disease activity.