Altered IkBα expression promotes NF-kB activation in monocytes from primary Sjögren’s syndrome patients

SummaryAimsTo study the importance of IkBα in NF-kB signal transduction, we analysed the IkBα expression in monocytes from Sjögren’s syndrome (SS) patients versus healthy controls.MethodsMonocytes were obtained from the peripheral blood of 30 SS patients and 23 healthysubjects. I kBa expression was studied by semiquantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), real-time PCR, immunoblotting, flow cytometry and enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).ResultsAnalysis of the gene and protein expression profiles of SS monocytes revealed a down-regulation of IkBα, and in all the Sjögren’s syndrome cases examined, serum IkBa levels were significantly decreased in comparison with controls.ConclusionsOur findings clearly demonstrate changes in the levels of IkBα in SS monocytes, suggesting that the attenuated expression of IkBα could contribute to the deregulation of NF-kB pathways in the SS pathogenesis. Decreased expression of IkBα may specifically amplify cytokines production and inflammatory response linked to Sjögren’s syndrome.