Profiling Micro-RNA expression in patients with Primary Sjogrens Syndrome – contribution to disease pathogenesis

Background Sjogrens syndrome (SS) is a chronic autoimmune disorder, characterised by lymphocytic infiltration resulting in exocrine gland destruction and other extra-glandular manifestations [1]. Currently there is no definitive diagnostic test, and the immuno-pathology is not fully understood. Recently focus has shifted to investigating microRNAs (miRs) in an effort to understand the mechanisms contributing to disease pathogenesis. MiRs are short non-coding RNA sequences, which regulate gene expression posttranscriptionally [2]. Of note, miRs have been identified as key regulators of immune function in a variety of autoimmune conditions [2]. The hypothesis of this project is that alterations in expression of specific miRs which regulate genes relating to inflammation and immunity may play a role in the pathology of the disease.