title: Current concepts of autoimmune exocrinopathy: immunologic mechanisms in the salivary pathology of Sjögren's syndrome.
abstract: Sjögren's syndrome is a systemic autoimmune disorder characterized by symptoms of oral and ocular dryness and a chronic, progressive loss of salivary and lacrimal function. The exocrine involvement is the result of a focal, peri-ductal mononuclear cell infiltrate and the subsequent loss of secretory epithelial cells. The mechanisms of this autoimmune exocrinopathy are not understood fully. Many recent investigations have described alterations in a number of immune mediators within the salivary glands. These studies provide new insights into the immune regulation of normal salivary gland functions and the mechanisms of gland damage in Sjögren's syndrome.
authors.affiliation: Clinical Investigations and Patient Care Branch, National Institute of Dental Research, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892-1190, USA.
authors.forename: P C
authors.initials: PC
authors.lastname: Fox
authors.forename: P M
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: Speight
mesh_terms: D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000276:immunology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D002908:Chronic Disease; D016207:Cytokines / Q000276:immunology; D018450:Disease Progression; D006801:Humans; D007765:Lacrimal Apparatus / Q000276:immunology / Q000503:physiopathology; D012466:Salivary Gland Diseases / Q000276:immunology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D012469:Salivary Glands / Q000276:immunology / Q000503:physiopathology; D012859:Sjogren's Syndrome / Q000276:immunology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D014985:Xerophthalmia / Q000503:physiopathology; D014987:Xerostomia / Q000503:physiopathology
chemical_list: D016207:Cytokines