We describe herein a patient who presented with immunoglobulin G4-related disease (IgG4-RD) involving the testis and prostate as well as the submandibular glands.
Massive infiltration of IgG4-expressing plasma cells was observed in testis and prostate tissues. Serum concentrations of B cell activating factor belonging to the tumor necrosis factor family (BAFF) were elevated in parallel with serum IgG4 concentrations, and infiltration of BAFF-receptor (BAFF-R)-expressing B cells and BAFF-expressing lymphoid cells was observed around the ectopic lymphoid foci in the affected urogenital tissues. To date, testicular involvement in a patient diagnosed with IgG4-RD had not been reported, making this the first reported case of IgG4-related epididymo-orchitis. These findings suggest that the immune mechanism underlying ectopic lymphoneogenesis in IgG4-RD may involve enhanced BAFF/BAFF-R interactions among lymphoid cells.
Written by:
Migita K, Miyashita T, Mizuno A, Jiuchi Y, Ito M, Matsuo M, Izumi Y, Takeoka A, Nishino A, Hayashi M. Are you the author?
Department of General Internal Medicine and Rheumatology, Clinical Research Center, NHO Nagasaki Medical Center, 2-1001-1 Kubara, Omura, 856-8652, Japan.
Reference: Mod Rheumatol. 2012 Sep 25. Epub ahead of print.
doi: 10.1007/s10165-012-0757-z
PubMed Abstract
PMID: 23007803
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