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Exploring Salivary Epithelial Dysfunction in Sjögren's Disease
Braxton Noll1, Micaela Beckman1, Farah Bahrani Mougeot1,2
1Translational Research Laboratories, Cannon Research Center and Department of Oral Medicine, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Atrium Health Carolinas Medical Center, 1542 Garden Terrace, Charlotte, NC 28203, USA.
International Journal of Molecular Sciences
|May 11, 2024
Summary
Sjögren
Area of Science:
- Autoimmune diseases
- Cell biology
- Oral medicine
Background:
- Sjögren's Disease (SjD) is an autoimmune disorder affecting exocrine glands.
- Etiology involves loss of epithelial homeostasis and extracellular matrix (ECM) destruction.
- Immune cell infiltration characterizes SjD pathogenesis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the role of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in salivary dysfunction in SjD.
- To understand pathogenic events leading to EMT-related epithelial dysfunction in SjD.
- To identify gaps in knowledge regarding early SjD salivary gland changes.
Main Methods:
- PubMed literature review.
- Analysis of pathogenic events related to EMT in SjD salivary glands.
- Assessment of molecular patterns of epithelial dysfunction.
Main Results:
- Salivary gland epithelial dysfunction in SjD shares similarities with EMT in wound healing.
- Pathological changes, including ECM destruction via MMP9, may precede immune infiltration.
- Dysregulation of EMT factors is observed in SjD salivary epithelium.
Conclusions:
- EMT-associated factors may initiate and perpetuate Sjögren's Disease.
- Early epithelial dysfunction in salivary glands is a critical area for further research.
- Understanding pre-lymphocytic infiltration stages is key to SjD pathogenesis.
