Macrophages resident in NOD mice salivary glands present different basal activity and a lower anti-inflammatory effect of VIP

CALAFAT M; LAROCCA L; ROCA V; PREGI N; NESSE N; DUSSETI N; CP LEIROS

Congreso; II Congreso Iberoamericano de Neuroimunomodulación; 2007

The non obese diabetic (NOD) mouse is a suitable experimental model to study autoimmune sialadenitis resembling Sjögren?s syndrome. Vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) is an immuno-neuropeptide mediating secretory and anti-inflammatory responses. In previous work we showed an increased expression of TP53INP1 in both 8 and 16 weeks-old female NOD mice. However, only at 16 weeks NOD mice showed apoptosis associated to a higher expression of bax. TNF alfa is known to induce apoptosis in certain tissues. Our goal was to study the role of resident macrophages of salivary glands from female NOD mice on the apoptosis of acinar cells and the possible modulation by VIP. We showed an increased TNF-alfa-induced apoptosis on the acini of NOD and BALB/c mice associated to an increased expression of TP53INP1. Resident macrophages of NOD salivary glands presented a different basal activity compared to BALB/c, characterized by increased production of nitrites and TNF-alfa. Although VIP inhibited LPS-stimulated TNF-alfa production in BALB/c mice, this effect was not seen in NOD mice.