TYK2 and immune signals that damage salivary glands in Sjögren’s
Tyk2 and Associated Cytokines in Salivary Gland Autoimmunity
This project looks at how the protein TYK2 and certain immune signals cause salivary gland inflammation that leads to dry mouth and eye problems in people with Sjögren’s.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Iowa NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Iowa City, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11299524 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers will use a mouse model that develops Sjögren’s-like salivary gland inflammation to study how turning off the TYK2 gene changes immune cells in the glands. They will use gene-editing and adoptive-transfer experiments to identify which innate immune cell types and which cytokines (including IL-12 and IL-23) require TYK2 signaling to start disease. The team will compare mouse findings with human genetic links to TYK2 to help translate the results to people. The goal is to uncover early immune triggers that could become targets for earlier diagnosis or therapies that prevent gland damage.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with Sjögren’s disease or those with early symptoms of dry mouth or dry eye—especially if they carry TYK2-related genetic variants—would be most relevant to follow this work or join related future studies.
Not a fit: People without autoimmune dry mouth or those needing immediate symptom relief are unlikely to benefit directly from this basic laboratory research in the short term.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could point to new targets for early diagnosis or treatments that prevent salivary gland damage and reduce dry mouth and eye complications.
How similar studies have performed: TYK2-targeting therapies have shown benefit in other autoimmune diseases, but applying TYK2-focused approaches specifically to Sjögren’s is relatively new and mainly based on preclinical data.
Where this research is happening
Iowa City, United States
- University of Iowa — Iowa City, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Lieberman, Scott Matthew — University of Iowa
- Study coordinator: Lieberman, Scott Matthew
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 below.