Background

Sjogrens syndrome (SS) is a chronic autoimmune disorder, characterised by lymphocytic infiltration resulting in exo-crine gland destruction and other extra-glandular manifes-tations [1]. Currently there is no definitive diagnostic test, and the immuno-pathology is not fully understood. Recently focus has shifted to investigating microRNAs (miRs) in an effort to understand the mechanisms contri-buting to disease pathogenesis. MiRs are short non-coding RNA sequences, which regulate gene expression post-transcriptionally [2]. Of note, miRs have been identified as key regulators of immune function in a variety of autoim-mune conditions [2]. The hypothesis of this project is that alterations in expression of specific miRs which regulate genes relating to inflammation and immunity may play a role in the pathology of the disease