Author Type

Graduate Student

Date of Award

2009

Document Type

Thesis

Publication Status

Version of Record

Submission Date

October 2026

Abstract

Sjogren's Syndrome (SS) is characterized by lymphocytic infiltration, destruction and dysfunction of the lacrimal and salivary glands and the presence of serum autoantibodies. Although, approximately 0.5% of the population suffers from SS, there is a female predominance of 9:1 compared with males. Most women with SS are postmenopausal; however, not all women who are post-menopausal develop SS. Therefore, we postulate that a decrease in the circulating levels of hormones creates an environment favorable to the development of SS in a predisposed genetic background. In order to carry out our studies, we used the NOD.B10.H2b mouse model of SS, and ovariectomized (OVX) them as a model for the post-menopausal condition. We removed the lacrimal glands and measured the gene expression and protein levels of several cytokines and chemokines known to be upregulated in patients with SS such as : lL-1B, IL-10, INF-y, TNFa, CCL9 and CXCL13.

Extent

xiv, 106 p. : ill. (some col.)

Comments

by Vanessa Seamon.|Thesis (Ph.D.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2009.|Includes bibliography.|Electronic reproduction. Boca Raton, Fla., 2009. Mode of access: World Wide Web.|by Vanessa Seamon.

Identifier

FADT215292

Format

pdf

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