Differentially expressed microRNAs as biomarkers for the diagnosis and treatment of Sjögren's syndrome

Abstract

The identification of differentially expressed microRNAs in patients with Sjögren's syndrome is disclosed herein. Provided is a method of diagnosing a subject as having Sjögren's syndrome by measuring the level of at least one differentially expressed miR gene product identified herein. An alteration in the level of the at least one miR gene product in the biological sample of the subject relative to a control indicates the subject has Sjögren's syndrome. Also provided is a method of treating a patient with Sjögren's syndrome by administering to the patient a therapeutically effective amount of an agent that inhibits expression of a miR gene product that is up-regulated in the patient with Sjögren's syndrome relative to a control, or by administering to the patient a therapeutically effective amount of an isolated miR gene product that is down-regulated in the patient with Sjögren's syndrome relative to a control. A method of restoring salivary flow in a patient with Sjögren's syndrome is also provided.

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