Autoimmune fibroinflammation in IgG4-related ophthalmic disease: TLR8-dependent signaling pathways and fibrotic remodeling revealed by proteomic profiling

Proteomic analysis of lacrimal gland samples from the diagnosed, suspected, and control groups suggests that patients with suspected IgG4-ROD may be part of the same population as diagnosed patients. In the diagnosed group, the lacrimal gland tissue displayed more severe fibrosis and a significant loss of lacrimal secretion function. This study postulates that the TLR - 8/IRAK4/NF - κB pathway may contribute to the molecular pathogenesis of IgG4 - ROD by promoting tissue fibrosis. Proteins such as MMP7, POSTN, and CD163 could potentially serve as molecular markers for the early diagnosis and potential therapeutic targets of IgG4 - ROD. Based on these findings, proteomics offers significant advantages in the molecular diagnosis of IgG4 - ROD and should be regarded as a crucial tool in the diagnosis of this disease.