Methods for the diagnosis and treatment of sjögren's syndrome

US9833519B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• The United States of America, as represented by the Secretary, Department of Health and Human Services · US

Inventor

• John A. Chiorini · Silver Spring, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Sep 25, 2013
• Grant date: Dec 5, 2017
• Expiry date: Sep 25, 2033

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G01N2800/101
• WIPO field: Pharmaceuticals
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

Described herein is the finding that patients with Sjögren's syndrome exhibit a statistically significant increase in expression of BMP6 in the salivary gland, relative to healthy control subjects. Also described herein is the finding that overexpression of BMP6 in the salivary glands of mice results in an increase in electrical potential across the salivary gland. Thus, provided herein are methods of diagnosing a subject as having Sjögren's syndrome, or at risk for developing Sjögren's syndrome, by measuring the level of BMP6 expression in a salivary gland of a subject, measuring electrical potential in a salivary gland of a subject, or both. Also provided herein are methods of treating a subject with Sjögren's syndrome by administering an agent that inhibits expression of BMP6 expression or activity. Also described herein is the use of XIST and MECP2 as diagnostic and therapeutic targets for male Sjögren's syndrome patients.