José Lopes, PhD, managing science editor —

Oral rebamipide, a gastroprotective medication approved in some countries, may slow the progression of Sjögren’s syndrome by increasing the number of regulatory B- and T-cells and reducing the production of inflammatory molecules in the salivary glands and spleen, according to research in a mouse model of the disease. The study,…

A study in Korean patients found five new gene variants associated with the development of Sjögren’s syndrome, which may provide biomarkers for precision medicine, the scientists said. The research, “Variants at potential loci associated with Sjogren’s syndrome in Koreans: A genetic association study,” appeared in the journal…

A non-invasive assessment of salivary gland damage by ultrasound may be added to current criteria for primary Sjögren’s syndrome (pSS) diagnosis without lowering their accuracy, according to a large clinical practice study. The inexpensive assessment may replace invasive tests that are unavailable in some centers, which improves the feasibility…

Having a history of infections, particularly respiratory, skin, and urogenital infections, increases the risk of developing primary Sjögren’s syndrome, according to a population-based study in Sweden. The study, “Infections increase the risk of developing Sjögren’s syndrome,” appeared in the Journal of Internal Medicine. Environmental factors have…

Targeting the mTOR signaling pathway may prevent the increased activation and proliferation of immune cells in the salivary glands of patients with primary Sjögren’s syndrome (pSS), according to new research. The study, “Increased mTORC1 activation in salivary gland B cells and T cells from patients with Sjögren’s…

The PI3K-delta inhibitor known as seletalisib, an investigative treatment for primary Sjögren’s syndrome, improved the production of saliva, lowered the levels of autoantibodies and inflammatory mediators, and decreased immune B- and T-cell infiltration in salivary glands in a mouse model, study researchers report. The study, “Phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase delta…

Patients with primary Sjogren’s syndrome (pSS) and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) share their gut microbial composition, which is different from the general population. Oral microbial composition, however, in different in both patient groups. The research, “Shared gut, but distinct oral microbiota composition in primary Sjögren’s syndrome…

Abnormal marginal zone B (MZB)-cells in the lacrimal glands of the eye appear to drive the production of autoantibodies and cause the chronic “dry eye” symptoms patients with Sjogren’s syndrome experience, a study in mice suggests. The research, “Dysregulated Marginal Zone B Cell Compartment in a Mouse…

The hormone adiponectin correlates with disease severity in Sjogren’s syndrome patients, and could be used as a salivary biomarker to diagnose the disease, a Spanish pilot study shows. The research, “Salivary adiponectin, but not adenosine deaminase, correlates with clinical signs in women with Sjögren’s syndrome: a pilot study,” was…

Patients with primary Sjogren’s syndrome (pSS) show altered levels of specific types of immune T-cells and B-cells, which may play an important role in disease activity, new research from Norway suggests. The study, “T follicular-like helper cells in the peripheral blood of patients with primary Sjogren’s…