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Figure 1 | Journal of Autoimmune Diseases

Figure 1

From: Expression of TNF inhibitor gene in the lacrimal gland promotes recovery of tear production and tear stability and reduced immunopathology in rabbits with induced autoimmune dacryoadenitis

Figure 1

Basal tear production was measured by Schirmer test in 10 rabbits (0 w). Dacryoadenitis was induced in these rabbits using lymphocytes activated in a mixed cell reaction. These rabbits were designated the induced dacryoadenitis (ID) group. At 2 w and 4 w, tear production in the ID group was significantly reduced (p = 0.005 and 0.006, respectively) compared to tear production at 0 w. The Schirmer test was repeated at 2 w for those animals to be treated; tear production was significantly reduced (p = 0.04) compared to at 0 w. At 2 w, 5 of the 10 ID animals received an injection of 1 × 108 pfu of AdTNFRp55-Ig into the remaining lacrimal gland. These animals were designated the ID/AdTNFRI treatment group. At 4 w (2 w after treatment) tear production was remeasured. There was no significant difference in tear production in the treatment group at 4 w compared to at 2 w (p = 0.52); however, there was a significant difference in tear production between the treated and untreated groups at 4 w (p = 0.04).

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Journal of Autoimmune Diseases

ISSN: 1740-2557