Lymphotoxin targeted to salivary and lacrimal glands induces tertiary lymphoid organs and cervical lymphadenopathy and reduces tear production.

To investigate the role of lymphotoxin (LT) in Sjogren's syndrome (SS) and in mucosal associated lymphoid tissue (MALT)-lymphoma, we made transgenic mice (Amy1-LT alpha beta) that targeted LT alpha and LT beta to the salivary and lacrimal glands. Amy1-LT alpha beta mice developed atrophic salivary and lacrimal glands that contained tertiary lymphoid organs (TLOs) and had reduced tear production. Amy1-LT alpha beta mice developed cervical lymphadenopathy but not MALT-lymphoma. TLO formation in the salivary and lacrimal glands of Amy1-LT alpha beta was not sufficient to induce autoimmunity as measured by autoantibody titres.