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-LTalphabeta) that targeted LTalpha and LTbeta to the salivary and lacrimal glands. Amy1-LTalphabeta mice developed atrophic salivary and lacrimal glands that contained tertiary lymphoid organs (TLOs) and had reduced tear production. Amy1-LTalphabeta mice developed cervical lymphadenopathy but not MALT-lymphoma. TLO formation in the salivary and lacrimal glands of Amy1-LTalphabeta was not sufficient to induce autoimmunity as measured by autoantibody titres.