Primary Sjögren's syndrome (pSS) is associated with polymorphisms and mRNA expression profiles that are indicative of an exaggerated innate and type I IFN immune response.
IL-6, IFNγ and IFNα levels were increased in pSS plasma and there were positive correlations between the levels of IFNγ/IFNα and percentage of Helios<sup>+</sup> FoxP3<sup>+ </sup>cells.
Increased type I IFN activity has been demonstrated in sera from patients with pSS and IFN-α, the main type I IFN, has been detected in the minor salivary glands.
Demonstrating the capacity of SGECs to express and secrete BAFF after IFN stimulation adds further information to the pivotal role of these epithelial cells in the pathogenesis of pSS, possibly after stimulation by innate immunity.