Single-cell profiling reveals clonal CD8⁺T cell-derived IFNγ drives Sjögren's disease-related dacryoadenitis

Sjögren's disease (SjD) is a chronic progressive autoimmune disorder primarily affecting the exocrine glands. Dacryoadenitis represents one of the typical clinical manifestations of SjD, yet its underlying pathogenic mechanisms remain poorly understood. This study investigated the immune microenvironment of the lacrimal gland to elucidate the pathogenic cell subset and key molecular factors driving SjD-related dacryoadenitis.

Aire^-/- mice, a well-established SjD-related dacryoadenitis model, were employed in this study. Lacrimal gland infiltrating immune cells were profiled by single-cell RNA sequencing and flow cytometry. The T-cell repertoire of lacrimal gland T cells was characterized by single-cell T cell receptor (TCR) sequencing. Ifng^-/-Aire^-/- mice were used to evaluate the roles of IFNγ in SjD-related dacryoadenitis model. The immunologic profiles and histopathological changes of the lacrimal gland were assessed in Aire^-/- mice with or without IFNγ deficiency.

We identified a clonally expanded population of CCL5⁺CD8⁺ memory T cells with high expression of cytotoxic effector molecules that is in spatial proximity to acinar cells. IFNγ derived from CCL5⁺CD8⁺memory T cells acts on multiple cell types, upregulating costimulatory molecules and chemokines within the lacrimal gland. Notably, either CD8⁺ T cell deletion or IFNγ knockout resulted in a marked attenuation of inflammatory infiltration and acinar atrophy within the lacrimal glands of Aire^-/- mice.

IFNγ derived from clonally expanded CCL5⁺CD8⁺memory T cells drives the pathogenesis of SjD-related dacryoadenitis, supporting IFNγ blockade as a potential therapeutic strategy for SjD-related dacryoadenitis.