An accumulation of damaged, pro-inflammatory immune cells, called senescence-associated T-cells, in salivary glands likely underlies gland dysfunction and dry mouth symptoms commonly seen with aging and in Sjögren’s syndrome patients, a study in mice suggests. Notably, this senescent T-cell buildup was found to be associated with an increased production…

Infections with the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), the most common member of the herpes virus family, may contribute to the development of Sjögren’s syndrome by increasing the proportion of immune cells with autoimmune functions, a recent study suggests. Therapies targeting the interaction between EBV and activated…

Abnormalities in how mitochondria are “recycled” by cells could contribute to autoimmune diseases like Sjögren’s syndrome, a new study indicates. The study, “IRGM1 links mitochondrial quality control to autoimmunity,” was published in Nature Immunology. Often referred to as the “powerhouse of the cell,” mitochondria are cellular structures that…