Epigenetic regulation during the pathologic process from human primary Sjögren's syndrome to mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma

Primary Sjögren's syndrome (pSS) is a systemic autoimmune disease characterized by reduced activity of the exocrine glands (principally the salivary and lacrimal glands) due to chronic lymphocytic infiltration. pSS has been closely associated with an enhanced risk of mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphoma. However, the dynamic epigenetic changes in gland cells accompanied with this pathogenesis are not fully understood. In present study, the labial gland (LG) and parotid gland (PG) tissues from two pSS patients with lymphoma were harvested including LG with negative antinuclear antibodies (ANA) and LG with positive ANA at the first diagnosis of pSS, as well as PG with and without lymphoma tissues at the second diagnosis of MALT. RNA-seq of these tissues were studied. This data is benefit to advanced understanding the dynamic development of MALT from pSS, emphasizing the importance of epigenetic alterations in regulating transcription during the pathologic process.