An Autoimmune Response to Odorant Binding Protein 1a Is Associated with Dry Eye in the Aire-Deficient Mouse

作者：DeVoss Jason J; LeClair Norbert P; Hou Yafei; Grewal Navdeep K; Johannes Kellsey P; Lu Wen; Yang Ting; Meagher Craig; Fong Lawrence; Strauss Erich C; Anderson Mark S^*

来源：The Journal of Immunology, 2010, 184(8): 4236-4246.

DOI：10.4049/jimmunol.0902434

Sjogren's Syndrome (SS) is a human autoimmune disease characterized by immune-mediated destruction of the lacrimal and salivary glands. In this study, we show that the Aire-deficient mouse represents a new tool to investigate autoimmune dacryoadenitis and keratoconjunctivitis sicca, features of SS. Previous work in the Aire-deficient mouse suggested a role for ex-fodrin, a ubiquitous Ag, in the disease process. Using an unbiased biochemical approach, however, we have identified a novel lacrimal gland autoantigen, odorant binding protein la, targeted by the autoimmune response. This novel autoantigen is expressed in the thymus in an Aire-dependent manner. The results from our study suggest that defects in central tolerance may contribute to SS and provide a new and clinically relevant model to investigate the pathogenic mechanisms in lacrimal gland autoimmunity and associated ocular surface sequelae. The Journal of Immunology, 2010, 184: 4236-4246.

• 出版日期2010-4-15