Steve Bryson, PhD,  science writer—

Problems with regulatory T-cells, or Tregs — a type of immune cell that plays a key role in dampening the body’s immune responses — drives the development of Sjögren’s disease, according to a recent mouse study. Treg dysfunction, also demonstrated by the genetic signatures in immune cells isolated from…

Topical application of the experimental therapy RCI001 prevented dry eye damage and improved tear secretion in a mouse model of Sjögren’s disease, according to a new study. Treatment in the mice also reduced markers of inflammation and oxidative stress, a type of cellular damage implicated in eye surface inflammation…

The proteins CTSS and GSTO1 could accurately distinguish people with primary Sjögren’s syndrome from unaffected individuals, a study suggests, meaning they show promise as diagnostic biomarkers and possible therapeutic targets for Sjögren’s. “These insights may lead to the development of targeted therapies and improved management strategies for individuals living…

Adults with primary Sjögren’s syndrome (pSS) have a higher prevalence of common allergic disorders compared with those with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), another autoimmune condition, a medical records analysis has found. Specifically, food and medicine allergies, nose inflammation known as allergic rhinitis, and eye inflammation called allergic conjunctivitis were found…

A low dose treatment of interleukin-2 (IL-2), an immune signaling protein, improved salivary gland function in a Sjögren’s syndrome mouse model, but it didn’t reverse immune-mediated structural damage to the glands, a study showed. Although IL-2 may improve salivary gland function in Sjögren’s, combining it with other immunomodulatory therapies…

People with Sjögren’s syndrome are more likely to require inpatient hospital care for infections acquired in the community, especially those of the airways and intestines, according to a large nationwide French study. “[Sjögren’s] patients had a significantly higher incidence rate of hospitalization for bronchopulmonary infections compared with matched [healthy…

The investigational therapy dazodalibep markedly eased disease activity in people with Sjögren’s syndrome with moderate-to-high systemic disease activity, meeting the primary goal of a Phase 2 trial. Ahead of expectations, the therapy’s developer, Horizon Therapeutics, plans to work with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to design…

A non-invasive imaging technique called in vivo confocal microscopy, or IVCM for short, was found to detect changes in the density and structure of nerve fibers in the cornea of the eyes in adults with Sjögren’s syndrome. IVCM’s ability to detect such changes in the corneal nerves support its…

Alterations to immune dendritic cells in the eyes of people with Sjögren’s syndrome were associated with both bodywide and eye-related disease severity, a study reported. Using a non-invasive specialized microscope to examine these immune cells on the surface of the eyes might be an objective way of evaluating disease…

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) isolated from dental tissue eased the signs and symptoms of Sjögren’s syndrome in a mouse model, a study indicated. These effects were driven by the cells’ ability to modulate immune responses, according to researchers, who noted that MSCs are “rapid proliferating” and have “strong anti-inflammatory…