Lacrimal gland autoimmunity in New Zealand mice.

We studied the spleen cell-mediated as well as antibody-mediated cytotoxicity to lacrimal gland acinar cells in New Zealand mice, an excellent animal model of Sjögren's syndrome. We found no difference in spleen cell-mediated cytotoxicity between young (3 months old) and old (6 to 12 months old) animals. With age, however, New Zealand mice developed an increasing level of serum autoantibodies to the lacrimal gland acinar cells. Such antibodies may play a role in the tissue damage of the lacrimal gland in these mice.