Lymphocytic infiltration leads to degradation of lacrimal gland extracellular matrix structures in NOD mice exhibiting a Sjogren's syndrome-like exocrinopathy.

ABSTRACT: We previously reported that lacrimal glands (LGs) of male non-obese diabetic (NOD) mice, an established mouse model of autoimmune inflammatory LG disease that displays many features of human LGs in patients afflicted with Sjögren's syndrome (SjS), exhibit significant degradation of extracellular matrix (ECM) structures as well as increased expression of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs). The purpose of the current study was to expand the spectrum of proteases identified, to clarify their probable origin as well as to identify the contribution of these changes to disease pathogenesis. We explored in depth the changes in ECM structures and ECM protease expression at the onset of disease (6 weeks) versus late stage disease (18 weeks) in male NOD mouse LGs, relative to LGs of age-matched male N

SUBMITTER: Schenke-Layland K 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2821966 | biostudies-literature | 2010 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature