New Research Offers Hope for Dry Mouth in Sjögren’s Disease

 This is a simplified version of  Targeted Approach for Tackling Sjogren's

Scientists have found a possible new way to help people with Sjögren’s disease who suffer from dry mouth. In a study, researchers were able to restore saliva production in mice with Sjögren’s-like symptoms. While this is early research, it could lead to future treatments for people with the disease.

What’s the Big Idea?

In Sjögren’s, the immune system mistakenly attacks the glands that make saliva and tears. This causes dryness in the mouth and eyes, which can make eating, speaking, and even smiling uncomfortable. It also raises the risk of cavities and infections.

Researchers discovered that a protein called BMP6 might be part of the problem. 

Many people with Sjögren’s disease have too much of this protein in their salivary glands. It seems to block the flow of water in the glands, making it harder to produce saliva and possibly causing inflammation.

What Did Scientists Do?

• They studied salivary gland tissue from women with Sjögren’s and found high levels of BMP6.

• In mice, they used special chemicals to block BMP6.

• After treatment, the mice produced more saliva and had less inflammation.

• A helpful protein called AQP5 (which helps move water) also increased after treatment.

What This Means for Someone with Sjögren’s Disease

This research suggests that BMP6 might be one reason why your salivary glands don’t work properly. 

If you have high levels of BMP6, future treatments might be able to block it and help your glands make more saliva. That could mean less dry mouth, easier eating and speaking, and fewer dental problems.

But—and this is important—not everyone with Sjögren’s disease has high BMP6. So this kind of treatment would need to be personalized, based on your specific biology.

What’s Next?

Scientists are still in the early stages. 

This study was done in mice, not humans. But it’s a promising step toward understanding one of the causes of dry mouth in Sjögren’s disease—and finding a way to fix it.

As Dr. John Chiorini, the lead researcher, said: “Therapies will have to be based on personalized medicine and understanding of the individual’s disease.”