Figure 4

CXCL13 protein measured by ELISA in mouse lacrimal glands and in sera from Sjögren's patients. Homogenates made from individual lacrimal glands (n = 8) were analyzed for CXCL13 protein levels by ELISA (a,b). CXCL13 protein increased with age/disease progression in lacrimal glands from untreated male NOD mice (a). LTBR-Ig treatment from 8 to 16 weeks reduced CXCL13 content of mouse lacrimal glands (b). Mean concentration of CXCL13 was significantly elevated in serum samples of Sjögren's syndrome patients (n = 27) versus healthy control sera (n = 30) (c). The mean age of Sjögren's syndrome patients was 57.17 +/- 10.10 years, and for controls was 57.55 +/- 21.17 years. There was one man in each group. ELISA, enzyme linked immunosorbant assay; NOD, non-obese diabetic.