Clonal rearrangements of B and T lymphocytes in minor salivary gland biopsies of Sjögren's disease patients with a focus score of ≥1

Introduction

Sjögren's Disease (SjD) is a systemic autoimmune disease with an increased risk of developing hematolymphoid neoplasms, with mucosa-associated marginal zone lymphoma being the most common. This could be related to the lack of a diagnostic test to achieve early diagnosis. Clonal rearrangements are molecular tests used in the diagnosis of lymphoid neoplasms that have proven to be supportive in the diagnosis and may be useful in the early diagnosis process when applied to minor salivary gland biopsies (MSGB).

Methods

Cross-sectional study including MSGB with a diagnosis of SjD between 2019 and 2022 at a university hospital in Bogota, Colombia. Sociodemographic data and histopathological characteristics were collected. Immunohistochemical studies and rearrangement tests were then performed according to the BIOMED-2 protocol.

Results

Rearrangements were performed for T cell receptors and B cell immunoglobulins. A polyclonal result was found in most cases. Four cases were oligoclonal in IgH and two isolated clonal results: one in the TCR β segment and the other in the kappa light chain segment of immunoglobulin.

Conclusion

Clonal rearrangements may be a useful tool for the early diagnosis of hematolymphoid neoplasms. Further studies with longer follow-up and application to MSGB are needed to better define a clonal pattern.