How stress contributes to autoimmunity-lessons from Sjögren's syndrome

Abstract

A large body of clinical evidence on the association between stressful life events and autoimmune diseases suggests that stress may play an important role in the pathogenesis of these disorders. In this article, we discuss the effects of stress, not on the immune system but on specific cell populations against which the autoimmune reactivity is directed. Using Sjögren's syndrome as a model autoimmune disease, we review the role of stress in the initiation and perpetuation of autoimmune reactivity. We present data that reveal the effects of stress on salivary gland epithelial cells, suggesting that stress can become immunogenic through its various effects on salivary gland epithelium.

Keywords: Sjögren's syndrome; UPR; apoptosis; autoimmunity; autophagy; chronic stress; endoplasmic reticulum stress; salivary gland epithelial cells.