Sjogren's syndrome is a chronic autoimmnune disorder characterized primarily by the discomforts od dry eyes and dry mouth due to the progressive loss of exocrine gland function. Development of a number of animal models to study Sjogren's syndrome, especially the NOD mouse and its congenic partner strains, has permitted a systematic analysis of immunological and non-immunological factors that influence predisposition for development of the autoimmune response. These data are reviewed here.
J.B.Brayer, Department of Oral Biology and Pathology, Laboratory Science and Center for Orphaned Autoimmune Diseases, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA