In pSS patients, high FURIN protein levels were significantly associated with elevated IFN-γ levels in the plasma as well as a longer duration of sicca symptoms in the eyes. pSS patients with high FURIN levels in their plasma showed a trend towards lower levels of serum beta-2 microglobulin, ESR and a lower systemic disease activity index ESSDAI.
However the increased production of TNF-α and IFN-γ in this group of patients may contribute to the pathogenesis of sicca syndrome associated with HTLV-1.