Animal models of Sjögren's syndrome: an update

Abstract

Sjögren's syndrome (SS) is a chronic autoimmune disease characterised by lymphocytic infiltration in exocrine glands with secretory dysfunction. Although both environmental triggers and genetic predisposition have been recognised as important factors in the initiation and development of SS, the pathogenesis of SS is complex and still largely unclear. Animal models have served as useful tools for studying SS pathogenesis with several advantages. A number of animal models recapitulating key characteristics of primary SS patients including secretory dysfunction, glandular inflammation and presence of autoantibodies were developed in the past years. The studies based on the animal models of SS have provided significant insight in SS pathogenesis and therapeutic intervention. This review summarises current animal models with primary SS-like symptoms including spontaneous models, genetically modified models, induced models and humanised models, and discusses their contribution to the understanding of SS aetiology and therapies.