IGA GLYCOSYLATION ABNORMALITIES IN THE SERUM OF PATIENTS WITH PRIMARYSJOGRENS-SYNDROME

Since there is no information regarding the glycosylation status of im munoglobulin A (IgA) in patients with primary Sjogren's syndrome (pSS) , the sialic acid and galactose contents of IgA1 and IgA2 were evaluat ed in 17 pSS patients and in 14 normal controls (NC), using new enzyme -linked immunosorbent assays. The proportion of sialylated IgA1 and Ig A2 was augmented (p < 0.001 and < 0.05, compared with NC), whereas tha t of galactosylated IgA1 and IgA2 was reduced (p < 0.01 and < 0.02, re spectively). The level of SA IgA1 correlated with the amount of IgA-co ntaining immune complexes (p < 0.01), serum IgA (p < 0.02) and IgA-rhe umatoid factor (p < 0.01). This demonstrates a number of IgA abnormali ties in PSS patients. There were no correlations between SA and Gal, h owever nor could any difference be ascribed to extraglandular manifest ations.