Natural Killer Cell Transcript 4 promotes the development of Sjоgren's syndrome via activation of Rap1 on B cells.

ABSTRACT: Autoimmune disorders are the third most common diseases in the United States, and affect the daily lives of millions of people. In this study, we analyzed patient samples, utilized a transgenic mouse model and human B cells to reveal Natural Killer Cell Transcript 4 (NK4) as a novel regulator that promotes the development of autoimmune disorders. NK4 was significantly elevated in samples from patients with Sjӧgren's Syndrome (SS). SS patients show elevated NK4 levels. There is a strong and positive correlation between the increased levels of NK4 and the duration of SS. Interestingly, transgenic expression of NK4 in a mouse model led to the development of autoantibodies and lymphocytic infiltration in salivary glands similar to those in SS patients. Those phenotypes were associated with inc

SUBMITTER: Qu P 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9264267 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature