Aging cells and salivary gland problems in Sjögren's
Official title: Cellular senescence contributes to salivary gland dysfunction in Sjögren’s syndrome
Funded at Ada Forsyth Institute, INC. · NIH-11325431 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project aims to see if getting rid of aged 'senescent' cells can help salivary glands work better for people with Sjögren's.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Ada Forsyth Institute, INC. NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Somerville, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | May 1, 2025 |
| Project end | April 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $298,500 |
| NIH project number | 5R21DE034091-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11325431 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
People diagnosed with Sjögren's syndrome who have dry mouth and reduced saliva production would be the likely candidates for related future trials.
✕Less likely to help
People without Sjögren's or those whose salivary glands are already permanently scarred are less likely to benefit from this approach.
What this research studies
Researchers have found aged, or 'senescent,' cells in the salivary glands of people with Sjögren's and in mouse models of the disease. They will examine how these senescent cells affect salivary gland stem cells and overall saliva production by analyzing human gland tissue and using mouse experiments. The team will test drugs called senolytics in mouse models to see whether removing senescent cells reduces gland damage and improves saliva flow. Results are intended to point toward treatments that could later be tested in people.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to treatments that restore saliva production and relieve dry mouth symptoms in Sjögren's patients.
How similar studies have gone: Early animal work showed senolytic drugs reduced senescent cells and improved saliva in a mouse model, but applying this approach in humans is still new.
Where this research is happening
-
Ada Forsyth Institute, INC.
Somerville, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Zhou, Jing — Ada Forsyth Institute, INC.
- Study coordinator: Zhou, Jing
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.