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X-linked ectodermal dysplasia receptor (XEDAR) gene silencing prevents caspase-3-mediated apoptosis in Sjögren's

Margherita Sisto1, Loredana Lorusso2, Sabrina Lisi2

  • 1Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Neurosciences and Sense Organs, Section of Human Anatomy and Histology, Laboratory of Cell Biology, University of Bari Medical School, Piazza Giulio Cesare 1, 70124, Bari, Italy. margherita.sisto@uniba.it.

Clinical and Experimental Medicine
|December 15, 2015
PubMed

Insights

Ectodysplasin-A2 (EDA-A2) and its receptor XEDAR are overexpressed in Sjögren's syndrome salivary cells, promoting apoptosis. This EDA-A2/XEDAR system shows promise for Sjögren's syndrome gene therapy.

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Cell Biology
  • Genetics

Background:

  • Sjögren's syndrome (SS) treatment is largely symptomatic, necessitating novel therapeutic strategies.
  • Ectodysplasin-A2 (EDA-A2), a TNF superfamily member, interacts with its receptor XEDAR.
  • Understanding the role of EDA-A2/XEDAR in SS pathogenesis is crucial.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the expression and biological activity of EDA-A2 in salivary gland epithelial cells (SGEC) from primary Sjögren's syndrome (pSS) patients.
  • To determine the involvement of the EDA-A2/XEDAR system in pSS pathogenesis.
  • To evaluate the potential of the EDA-A2/XEDAR system as a therapeutic target for pSS.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of EDA-A2 and XEDAR expression in SGEC from pSS patients and healthy individuals.
  • Assessment of the biological activity of the EDA-A2/XEDAR system in pSS SGEC.
  • Investigation of apoptosis induction mechanisms, including caspase activation.

Main Results:

  • EDA-A2 and XEDAR were found to be overexpressed in pSS SGEC compared to healthy controls.
  • The EDA-A2/XEDAR system in pSS SGEC was implicated in inducing apoptosis.
  • Caspase activation was identified as a key component in EDA-A2/XEDAR-mediated apoptosis.

Conclusions:

  • The EDA-A2/XEDAR system is upregulated in primary Sjögren's syndrome.
  • This system plays a role in the apoptotic pathways within salivary gland epithelial cells in pSS.
  • The EDA-A2/XEDAR system represents a potential target for gene therapy in Sjögren's syndrome.
Keywords:
ApoptosisCaspase-3Ectodysplasin-A2Sjögren’s syndromeXEDAR

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