title: Sjögren's syndrome: a possible pathogenetic mechanism involving somatostatin.
abstract: Sjögren's syndrome is a chronic systemic disease that primarily affects the salivary and lacrimal glands. The pathogenesis of Sjögren's syndrome is unknown. We hypothesize that reduced somatostatin activity is an important factor in promoting immune dysregulation in patients affected by Sjögren's syndrome. Somatostatin is a multifunctional peptide with potent immunomodulatory properties. Its effects include reduced lymphocytic activity, reduced gastric and intestinal secretions, activation of the hypothalamic-pituitary axis, and anti-inflammatory action, all opposite to the general presentation in Sjögren's syndrome. We suggest that the activity of somatostatin is low in patients affected by this disease, and this contributes significantly to the pathology observed.
authors.affiliation: Sjögren's Syndrome Clinic, Gene Therapy and Therapeutics Branch, National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, National Institutes of Health, Bldg 10, 1N113, MSC-1190, Bethesda, MD 20892-1190, USA.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Baccaglini
authors.forename: S R
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Pillemer
authors.forename: B J
authors.initials: BJ
authors.lastname: Baum
mesh_terms: D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic / Q000494:pharmacology; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D005753:Gastric Mucosa / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007030:Hypothalamo-Hypophyseal System / Q000502:physiology; D007419:Intestinal Secretions / Q000502:physiology; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D012859:Sjogren's Syndrome / Q000209:etiology* / Q000276:immunology; D013004:Somatostatin / Q000276:immunology / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D013004:Somatostatin