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Nitrate Prevents Sjögren's Disease by Modulating T Helper Cells via NF-κB Pathway Suppression
Conglin Du1, Zi Yang1,2, Yang Yang1,3
1Salivary Gland Disease Center and Beijing Key Laboratory of Tooth Regeneration and Function Reconstruction, Beijing Laboratory of Oral Health and Beijing Stomatological Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.
Oral Diseases
|June 16, 2025
Summary
Preventive nitrate administration in mice with Sjögren's disease (SjD) preserved salivary gland function and rebalanced T helper cells. This suggests nitrate may be a potential treatment for SjD by suppressing key inflammatory pathways.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Autoimmune Diseases
- Gastroenterology
Background:
- Sjögren's disease (SjD) is a chronic autoimmune condition marked by abnormal T helper (Th) cell distribution in salivary glands (SGs).
- Nitrate's potential role in regulating immune responses and preserving SG function in SjD has not been investigated.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the preventive effects of nitrate on Sjögren's disease in a mouse model.
- To investigate nitrate's impact on T helper cell distribution and salivary gland function.
Main Methods:
- Nonobese diabetic (NOD)/Ltj mice, a model for secondary Sjögren's disease (sSjD), were treated with sodium nitrate or sodium chloride from 6 to 16 weeks of age.
- Salivary flow rates, histological changes in submandibular glands, Th subset ratios (via flow cytometry), and gene expression (via mRNA sequencing) were analyzed.
Main Results:
- Nitrate administration preserved salivary function and reduced lymphocyte infiltration in the SGs.
- Nitrate downregulated T cell-related genes and upregulated salivary function genes.
- Nitrate modulated Th cell and regulatory T cell (Treg) balance, suppressed Th cell differentiation pathways, and inhibited the NF-κB pathway in sSjD.
Conclusions:
- Preventive nitrate administration shows potential for preserving SG function in SjD.
- Nitrate may rebalance Th cells and suppress the NF-κB pathway, indicating a possible therapeutic strategy for Sjögren's disease.
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