The possible etiopathogenic genes of Sjögren's syndrome

Sjögren's syndrome is a chronic autoimmune disease characterized by focal lymphocytic infiltration of lacrimal and salivary glands, but the precise mechanism of this syndrome is unclear. To clarify the pathogenesis of Sjögren's syndrome, the related genes must be identified. In the present study, we investigate the increased expression of genes and molecules related to Sjögren's syndrome and present our findings of cDNA microarray analysis in the mouse model. Furthermore, we present the results of immunohistochemical analysis of salivary glands in the mouse model and patients with Sjögren's syndrome. This approach might open a new discussion of the existence of principal pathogenic molecules in Sjögren's syndrome.