A link between interferon and augmented plasmin generation in exocrine gland damage in Sjögren's syndrome

► Cell infiltrates orchestrate a perpetuating response underlying gland dysfunction. ► Th1 and Th17 cell products recruit additional lymphocytes, but also macrophages. ► Macrophages promote proteolysis, underlying tissue damage and inappropriate repair. ► Among the proteases is plasmin, generated by plasminogen activation through tPA. ► IFN drives tPA and plasmin cascade of proteolytic events in macrophages in vitro.