Department of Molecular Biosciences, The Wenner-Gren Institute
Sex Dependent and Sjögren Disease-Like Immune Responses Against Phosphoantigens in BALB/c Mice
Ingrid Faye and coworkers have discovered that certain natural molecules, known as phosphoantigens, can trigger immune reactions that differ between males and females. In male mice, one of the phophoantigens led to swelling of the salivary glands and symptoms similar to Sjögren’s disease — an autoimmune disease that affects tear and saliva production in humans. The findings shed new light on how sex differences influence the immune system and the development of autoimmune conditions.
Summary:
Oral gavage of two phosphoantigens (IPP and HMBPP) induce a sex-specific immune response in Balb/c mice in different organs. IPP induces salivary gland swelling in males and alters levels of Ro52 and La autoantibodies. Both sexes show activation of marginal zone B-cells (MZB) and B-cell infiltration in salivary glands, suggesting Sjögren disease-like manifestations triggered by IPP.
Our aim is to study the effects of bacterial phosphoantigens (HMBPP and IPP) on appetite. We introduced these into mice by gavage and followed the differences in weight gain and gene transcription from relevant tissues. An unexpected effect on male salivary glands focused our interest also on their effects on immune response.
