Sjögren's syndrome: studying the disease in mice
Author affiliations
1 Broegelmann Research Laboratory, The Gade Institute, University of Bergen, New Laboratory Building, 5th floor, #5305, 5021 Bergen, Norway
2 Department of Oral Biology, College of Dentistry, University of Florida, Gainesville, 1600 SW Archer Road, FL 32610, USA
3 Department of Pathology, Immunology & Laboratory Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Florida, 1600 SW Archer Road, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
4 Center for Orphan Autoimmune Diseases, College of Dentistry, University of Florida, 1600 SW Archer Road, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
5 Department of Rheumatology, Haukeland University Hospital, Jonas Liesvei 65, 5021 Bergen, Norway
Citation and License
Arthritis Research & Therapy 2011, 13:217 doi:10.1186/ar3313
Published: 13 June 2011Abstract
Sjögren's syndrome (SS), a systemic autoimmune disease, is characterized by inflammation of exocrine tissues accompanied by a significant loss of their secretory function. Clinical symptoms develop late and there are no diagnostic tests enabling early diagnosis of SS. Thus, particularly to study these covert stages, researchers turn to studying animal models where mice provide great freedom for genetic manipulation and testing the effect of experimental intervention. The present review summarizes current literature pertaining to both spontaneous and extrinsic-factor induced SS-like diseases in mouse models, discussing advantages and disadvantages related to the use of murine models in SS research.
