Inhibition of Cathepsin S Reduces Lacrimal Gland Inflammation and Increases Tear Flow in a Mouse Model of Sjogren's Syndrome.

ABSTRACT: Cathepsin S (CTSS) is highly increased in Sjögren's syndrome (SS) patients tears and in tears and lacrimal glands (LG) of male non-obese diabetic (NOD) mice, a murine model of SS. To explore CTSS's utility as a therapeutic target for mitigating ocular manifestations of SS in sites where CTSS is increased in disease, the tears and the LG (systemically), the peptide-based inhibitor, Z-FL-COCHO (Z-FL), was administered to 14-15 week male NOD mice. Systemic intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection for 2 weeks significantly reduced CTSS activity in tears, LG and spleen, significantly reduced total lymphocytic infiltration into LG, reduced CD3+ and CD68+ cell abundance within lymphocytic infiltrates, and significantly increased stimulated tear secretion. Topical administration of Z-FL to a different coh

SUBMITTER: Klinngam W 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6606642 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature