Clinical significance of progranulin correlated with serum soluble Oxford 40 ligand in primary Sjögren's syndrome

The present study aimed to investigate the association between the expressions of serum progranulin (PGRN) and serum soluble Oxford 40 ligand (sOX40L) and determine their clinical significances in primary Sjögren's syndrome (pSS). The present study included a total of 68 patients with pSS and 50 healthy controls. Demographic data and clinical basic information were collected. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was performed to determine serum levels of PGRN, sOX40L and interleukins. Spearman's correlation coefficient and Mann–Whitney U test were used to determine the correlation between PGRN, and sOX40L and the association between PGRN and sOX40L and disease activity and disease severity. Serum interleukin (IL)-4, IL-6, IL-10, PGRN, and sOX40L levels were significantly higher in pSS patients as compared to the healthy controls. A positive correlation was observed between PGRN and sOX40L. Patients with elevated levels of PGRN or sOX40L exhibited higher disease activity compared to those with lower levels. Patients with III to IV stages of pSS or multiple system damage showed higher serum levels of PGRN and sOX40L. Elevated serum PGRN, and sOX40L levels were relevant with disease activity and severity in patients with pSS.