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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 NODscid, a severely immunocompromised congenic strain, and healthy BALB/c mice. LG tissues were examined using routine histological, immunohistochemical, Western Blot and gene expression analyses novel multiphoton imaging technologies. We further characterized the profile of infiltrating immune cells under each condition using flow cytometry. Our results show that the initial infiltrating cells at 6 weeks of age are responsible for increased MMP and cathepsin H expression and therefore initiate the LG ECM degradation in NOD mice. More importantly, NODscid mice exhibited normal LG ECM structures, indicating the lymphocytes seen in the LGs of NOD mice are responsible for the degradation of the LG ECM. The disease-related remodeling of LG ECM structures may play a crucial role in altering the acinar signaling environment, disrupting the signaling scaffolds within the cells, which are required to mobilize the exocytotic trafficking machinery, ultimately leading to a loss of LG function in patients afflicted with SjS.

SUBMITTER: Schenke-Layland K

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

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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

Schenke-Layland Katja K Xie Jiansong J Magnusson Mattias M Angelis Ekaterini E Li Xiaodong X Wu Kaijin K Reinhardt Dieter P DP Maclellan W Robb WR Hamm-Alvarez Sarah F SF

Experimental eye research 20091021 2

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 ...[more]

PMID: 19852957

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Project description:IntroductionSjögren's syndrome (SjS) is a systemic autoimmune disease characterized by decreased salivary and lacrimal gland secretions, resulting in severe dry mouth and dry eyes. Recent studies have suggested that TH17 cells and its signature cytokine IL-17 are involved in the underlying pathogenic mechanisms leading to destructive inflammation and autoimmunity. In the present study, we examined whether IL-27, a natural inhibitor of TH17 activity, could down-regulate or reverse SjS in C57BL/6.NOD-Aec1Aec2 mice, a model of primary-SjS.MethodsRecombinant serotype 2 adeno-associated viral (AAV2) vectors expressing either IL-27 (rAAV2-IL27) or LacZ (rAAV2-LacZ) were injected into 6 or 14 week-old C57BL/6.NOD-Aec1Aec2 mice. Changes in IL-27, IL-17, and IL-10 cytokine levels in peripheral blood were determined by ELISAs, while flow cytometry analyses were used to quantify cytokine-positive splenocytes. Histological assessment of salivary glands, anti-nuclear autoantibody (ANA) staining, and stimulated saliva flow rates were used to profile SjS disease severity.ResultsMice systemically treated with intravenous rAAV2-IL27 injections at either 6 or 14 weeks of age exhibited long-term elevated levels of serum IL-27 with concomitantly reduced levels of IL-17 compared with sera from mice injected with rAAV2-LacZ or saline out to 20 weeks post-inoculation. Most importantly, disease profiles revealed that rAAV2-IL27 treatment had little effect on lymphocytic focus (LF) scores, but resulted in structural changes in LF, lower titers of ANAs with changes in staining patterns, and a less severe clinical disease as determined by saliva flow rates.ConclusionsThese data support the concept that IL-27, when provided exogenously, can induce a suppressive effect on SjS development and thus may be an effective therapeutic agent for regulating TH17 pro-inflammatory activity in autoimmune diseases where the TH17 system has been shown to play an important role in their pathogenesis.

Project description:INTRODUCTION: In Sjögren's syndrome, keratoconjunctivitis sicca (dry eye) is associated with infiltration of lacrimal glands by leukocytes and consequent losses of tear-fluid production and the integrity of the ocular surface. We investigated the effect of blockade of the lymphotoxin-beta receptor (LTBR) pathway on lacrimal-gland pathology in the NOD mouse model of Sjögren's syndrome. METHODS: Male NOD mice were treated for up to ten weeks with an antagonist, LTBR-Ig, or control mouse antibody MOPC-21. Extra-orbital lacrimal glands were analyzed by immunohistochemistry for high endothelial venules (HEV), by Affymetrix gene-array analysis and real-time PCR for differential gene expression, and by ELISA for CXCL13 protein. Leukocytes from lacrimal glands were analyzed by flow-cytometry. Tear-fluid secretion-rates were measured and the integrity of the ocular surface was scored using slit-lamp microscopy and fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC) staining. The chemokine CXCL13 was measured by ELISA in sera from Sjögren's syndrome patients (n = 27) and healthy controls (n = 30). Statistical analysis was by the two-tailed, unpaired T-test, or the Mann-Whitney-test for ocular integrity scores. RESULTS: LTBR blockade for eight weeks reduced B-cell accumulation (approximately 5-fold), eliminated HEV in lacrimal glands, and reduced the entry rate of lymphocytes into lacrimal glands. Affymetrix-chip analysis revealed numerous changes in mRNA expression due to LTBR blockade, including reduction of homeostatic chemokine expression. The reduction of CXCL13, CCL21, CCL19 mRNA and the HEV-associated gene GLYCAM-1 was confirmed by PCR analysis. CXCL13 protein increased with disease progression in lacrimal-gland homogenates, but after LTBR blockade for 8 weeks, CXCL13 was reduced approximately 6-fold to 8.4 pg/mg (+/- 2.7) from 51 pg/mg (+/-5.3) in lacrimal glands of 16 week old control mice. Mice given LTBR blockade exhibited an approximately two-fold greater tear-fluid secretion than control mice (P = 0.001), and had a significantly improved ocular surface integrity score (P = 0.005). The mean CXCL13 concentration in sera from Sjögren's patients (n = 27) was 170 pg/ml, compared to 92.0 pg/ml for sera from (n = 30) healthy controls (P = 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Blockade of LTBR pathways may have therapeutic potential for treatment of Sjögren's syndrome.

Project description:Key pointsFew reports have explored the possibility of involvement of non-inflammatory factors in lacrimal hyposecretion in Sjögren's syndrome (SS). RNA-sequencing analysis revealed that only four genes, including arginase 1, were downregulated in the lacrimal gland of SS model male mice (NOD mice) after onset of lacrimal hyposecretion and dacryoadenitis. Even in non-dacryoadenitis-type NOD mice, tear secretion and arginase 1 expression remained low. An arginase 1 inhibitor reduced tear secretion and partially reduced saliva secretion in BALB/c mice. The results indicate that a non-inflammatory factor, arginase 1, is involved in lacrimal hyposecretion in male NOD mice, regardless of dacryoadenitis status.AbstractLacrimal fluid (tears) is important for preservation of the ocular surface, and thus lacrimal hyposecretion in Sjögren's syndrome (SS) leads to reduced quality of life. However, the cause(s) of lacrimal hyposecretion remains unknown, even though many studies have been conducted from the perspective of inflammation. Here, we hypothesized that a non-inflammatory factor induces lacrimal hyposecretion in SS pathology, and to elucidate such a factor, we conducted transcriptome analysis of the lacrimal glands in male non-obese diabetic (NOD) mice as an SS model. The NOD mice showed inflammatory cell infiltration and decreased pilocarpine-induced tear secretion at and after 6 weeks of age compared to age-matched BALB/c mice. RNA-sequencing analysis revealed that only four genes, including arginase 1, were downregulated, whereas many genes relating to inflammation were upregulated, in the lacrimal glands of male NOD mice after onset of lacrimal hyposecretion and dacryoadenitis (lacrimal gland inflammation). Changes in the level of arginase 1 expression were confirmed by real-time RT-PCR and western blot analysis. Furthermore, non-dacryoadenitis-type NOD mice were used to investigate the relationships among arginase 1 expression, lacrimal hyposecretion and dacryoadenitis. Interestingly, these NOD mice retained the phenotype of dacryoadenitis with regard to tear secretion and arginase 1 expression level. An arginase 1 inhibitor reduced tear secretion and partially reduced saliva secretion in BALB/c mice. In conclusion, a non-inflammatory factor, arginase 1, is involved in lacrimal hyposecretion in male NOD mice, regardless of dacryoadenitis status. These results shed light on the pathophysiological role of arginase 1 in SS (dry eye).

Dataset Information

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

Publications

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

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