Sjögren's syndrome is a systemic autoimmune disease primarily affecting the salivary and lacrimal (tear) glands, causing chronic dry mouth (xerostomia) and dry eyes (keratoconjunctivitis sicca). It can also involve the nervous system, joints, kidneys, and lungs. The underlying driver is T-cell and B-cell infiltration into exocrine glands, progressive destruction of secretory function, and sustained autoantibody production (anti-SSA/Ro and anti-SSB/La).
The MSC Mechanism in Sjögren's
Suppressing Overactive T- and B-Cells
MSCs secrete anti-inflammatory cytokines including IL-10, TGF-β, and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), which counteract the pro-inflammatory molecules (TNF-α, IFN-γ, IL-17, IL-6) driving glandular destruction. Critically, MSCs suppress the B-cell activation that drives anti-SSA/Ro and anti-SSB/La autoantibody production — reducing immune-mediated glandular damage.
Promoting Regulatory T-Cells
MSCs expand regulatory T-cell populations, which restore immune tolerance and reduce the autoimmune attack on salivary and lacrimal glands. In animal models of Sjögren's (NOD mice), MSC administration produced significant salivary flow improvement and reduced lymphocyte infiltration in the salivary glands.
Published Evidence
A clinical trial published in Arthritis & Rheumatology evaluated umbilical cord MSC therapy in primary Sjögren's syndrome patients. At 12 weeks post-treatment, treated patients showed significantly improved salivary flow rates, reduced ESSDAI (disease activity index) scores, and decreased anti-SSA/Ro titers compared to controls. These improvements were sustained at 24-week follow-up.
Systemic vs. Glandular Benefit
IV MSC infusion targets both the systemic immune dysfunction (fatigue, inflammatory markers) and the glandular destruction. Some patients also experience improvement in extraglandular features — arthralgia, peripheral neuropathy, and fatigue — reflecting the systemic immunomodulatory effect. Delivery protocol (IV alone vs. IV + local glandular injection) is determined by disease severity and phenotype on your evaluation call.