Bcl-2 Family Expression in Salivary Glands from Patients with Primary Sjögren's Syndrome: Involvement of Bax in Salivary Gland Destruction

Vasoactive intestinal peptide/vasoactive intestinal peptide receptor relative expression in salivary glands as one endogenous modulator of acinar cell apoptosis in a murine model of Sjögren's syndrome

“…Apoptosis of the secretory epithelium as a triggering factor of early dysfunction and autoimmune response has been explored in SS patients and models [32][33][34] and the potential of certain TNF-a superfamily members, as SS susceptibility biomarkers has emerged from microarray studies in a transgenic mice model of SS [35]. Remarkably, local over-expression of TNF-aR1 in murine glands was shown to reduce saliva secretion [36], while TNF-a has been reported as a potent inducer of acinar apoptosis and TNF-aR1 expression in prediabetic NOD mice [16].…”

Spontaneous Autoimmune Dacryoadenitis in Aged CD25KO Mice

“…It has been suggested their anti-apoptotic properties derive from an overexpression of Bcl-2. 8,9 This expression profile gives them a propensity to replicate and survive in an otherwise destructive environment. This may also contribute to the increased risk patients with SS have of developing mucosal lymphomas.…”

“…Cryosections were stained with the above mentioned primary antibodies and appropriate biotinylated secondary antibodies (all from BD Pharmingen) and a Vectastain Elite ABC kit using NovaRed reagents (Vector, Burlingame, CA) as previously described. 9 Secondary antibody alone and appropriate anti-mouse isotype (BD Bioscience) controls were also performed. Three sections from each animal/group/time point were examined and photographed with a microscope equipped with a digital camera (Eclipse E400 with a DS-Fi1; Nikon).…”

ALX/FPR2 receptor for RvD1 is expressed and functional in salivary glands

“…The mechanisms behind the characteristic salivary gland destruction in SS patients remain unclear. However, it has been suggested that SS is characterized by an early phase in which the salivary and lacrimal tissues undergo inappropriate apoptosis (23) followed by a later phase of lymphocyte infiltration and autoimmune aggression associated with gland destruction and secretory dysfunction (23).…”