AUTHOR=Yin Junping , Zheng Junfeng , Deng Fengyuan , Zhao Wenjie , Chen Yan , Huang Qiaoniang , Huang Renliang , Wen Lifang , Yue Xiaoyang , Petersen Frank , Yu Xinhua 

TITLE=Gene Expression Profiling of Lacrimal Glands Identifies the Ectopic Expression of MHC II on Glandular Cells as a Presymptomatic Feature in a Mouse Model of Primary Sjögren's Syndrome

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Immunology

VOLUME=Volume 9 - 2018

YEAR=2018

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/immunology/articles/10.3389/fimmu.2018.02362

DOI=10.3389/fimmu.2018.02362

ISSN=1664-3224

ABSTRACT=Ectopic expression of MHC II molecules on glandular cells is a feature of primary Sjögren’s syndrome (pSS). However, the cause of the ectopic expression of MHC II is unknown, and whether it play a role in the disease pathogenesis remain elusive.  Here we report that ectopic expression of MHC II molecules on glandular cells was an early presymptomatic event in a mouse model for pSS induced by immunization of Ro60_316-335 peptide emulsified in Titermax as adjuvant. The ectopic expression of MHC II molecules was induced by Titermax but not complete freund's adjuvant (CFA). Furthermore, immunization of Ro60_316-335 peptide emulsified in Titermax, but not in CFA, could induce the pSS-like disease in mice. Therefore, this result suggests that ectopic expression of MHC II molecules on glandular cells is a presymptomatic feature of pSS, and such ectopic expression can be caused by environmental factors. In addition, this study also suggests a novel mechanism of adjuvant action in potentiating immune responses.