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Deleting Mitochondrial Superoxide Dismutase 2 in Salivary Gland Ductal Epithelial Cells Recapitulates Non-Sjögren’s Sicca Syndrome

Authors :
Joanna A. Papinska
Justyna Durślewicz
Harini Bagavant
Umesh S. Deshmukh
Source :
International Journal of Molecular Sciences, Vol 25, Iss 11, p 5983 (2024)
Publication Year :
2024
Publisher :
MDPI AG, 2024.

Abstract

Elevated oxidative stress can play a pivotal role in autoimmune diseases by exacerbating inflammatory responses and tissue damage. In Sjögren’s disease (SjD), the contribution of oxidative stress in the disease pathogenesis remains unclear. To address this question, we created mice with a tamoxifen-inducible conditional knockout (KO) of a critical antioxidant enzyme, superoxide dismutase 2 (Sod2), in the salivary glands (i-sg-Sod2 KO mice). Following tamoxifen treatment, Sod2 deletion occurred primarily in the ductal epithelium, and the salivary glands showed a significant downregulation of Sod2 expression. At twelve weeks post-treatment, salivary glands from the i-sg-Sod2 KO mice exhibited increased 3-Nitrotyrosine staining. Bulk RNA-seq revealed alterations in gene expression pathways related to ribosome biogenesis, mitochondrial function, and oxidative phosphorylation. Significant changes were noted in genes characteristic of salivary gland ionocytes. The i-sg-Sod2 KO mice developed reversible glandular hypofunction. However, this functional loss was not accompanied by glandular lymphocytic foci or circulating anti-nuclear antibodies. These data demonstrate that although localized oxidative stress in salivary gland ductal cells was insufficient for SjD development, it induced glandular dysfunction. The i-sg-Sod2 KO mouse resembles patients classified as non-Sjögren’s sicca and will be a valuable model for deciphering oxidative-stress-mediated glandular dysfunction and recovery mechanisms.

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
14220067 and 16616596
Volume :
25
Issue :
11
Database :
Directory of Open Access Journals
Journal :
International Journal of Molecular Sciences
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
edsdoj.7e735b644ae84544881637804ff1c43c
Document Type :
article
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms25115983