A significant discovery has identified a missing "gatekeeper" protein as the root cause of dry mouth in Sjögren's syndrome – a finding that could change the way the disease is treated. Researchers pinpointed tricellulin, a protein that helps seal the junctions between saliva gland cells, as the key factor. When inflammation damages tricellulin, saliva production stops and harmful substances leak through.
Researchers find key to treating painful dry mouth disorder
A significant discovery has identified a missing “gatekeeper” protein as the root cause of dry mouth in Sjögren's syndrome – a finding that could change the way the disease is treated. Researchers pinpointed tricellulin, a protein that helps seal the junctions between saliva gland cells, as the key factor. When inflammation damages tricellulin, saliva production stops and harmful substances leak through.
