To develop a humanized murine model that captures key immunopathological features and varied clinical manifestations of Sjögren’s syndrome (SS) and assess its therapeutic utility.
Key Findings:
Mice injected with PBMCs from SS patients showed increased human IL-17-producing T cells and immune cell infiltration in salivary glands, indicating a robust inflammatory response.
Histopathological analysis revealed reduced Aquaporin-5 expression, which is significant for glandular function, and significant immune cell infiltration.
Metformin treatment significantly reduced salivary gland inflammation and pathogenic T cell infiltration, suggesting its potential as a therapeutic agent.
Interpretation:
The developed humanized murine model effectively reproduces key features of SS, providing a platform for studying disease mechanisms and therapeutic strategies, with implications for future research.
Limitations:
The model may not fully replicate the complexity of human SS, particularly in terms of extraglandular manifestations.
Further refinements may be necessary to enhance immune engraftment and better mimic the multifaceted clinical pathology of SS.
Conclusion:
The refined humanized model serves as a reliable tool for evaluating novel therapeutic strategies in SS.
