Pre-Sjögren Syndrome Targeted Immunology Evaluation

Sjögren`s disease (also known as primary Sjögren`s syndrome) is an autoimmune disease in which the body`s own immune system attacks and destroys the salivary and lacrimal glands. Vital organs such as the kidneys and lungs can also be affected. The disease often progresses insidiously, which is why it is usually diagnosed very late. It is therefore clear that the majority of current knowledge about Sjögren`s disease is derived from patients who have had the disease for many years. In contrast, we know little about the initial immunological events, the symptoms of patients in the early stages of the disease or the early changes in the salivary and lacrimal glands. This means that there are currently no biomarkers for the early diagnosis of Sjögren`s disease. This project is a collaboration between university centres in Graz (Austria) and Brest (France). Its aim is to uncover the initial immunological changes of Sjögren`s disease in order to better understand the pathogenesis of the disease. We will achieve this goal by following and examining in detail around 140 participants at high risk of developing Sjögren`s disease over several years. The methodology combines clinical research with state-of-the-art laboratory techniques. The study will create detailed profiles of the immune system using advanced instruments. Techniques such as single-cell RNA sequencing and the use of artificial intelligence for diagnosis prediction are fundamental to this innovative research approach. The data obtained will precisely identify and classify immunological changes in study participants who develop Sjögren`s disease during the observation period. These findings will transform our understanding of the development and early diagnosis of Sjögren`s disease.