# Microtubule-based Transport in Lacrimal Gland Function

> **NIH NIH R01** · UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA · 2024 · $409,873

## Abstract

The lacrimal gland (LG) produces fluid and proteins essential for ocular surface function. A subset of severe dry
eye disease (DED) cases are associated with Sjögren’s syndrome (SS), an autoimmune disease associated with
exocrinopathy and systemic inflammation. SS-associated DED is characterized by severe LG inflammation
(dacryoadenitis) and reduced tear secretion, with tears containing an altered spectrum of proteins which may
provoke ocular surface inflammation. In the male NOD mouse, a model of ocular symptoms of SS, expression
and activity of cathepsin S (CTSS) is highly increased in LG and in tears in parallel with disease; increased tear
CTSS is also seen in SS patients. Treatment of male NOD mice with a CTSS inhibitor suppressed ocular
symptoms of SS. A complication of the use of CTSS inhibitors reported so far in clinical trials is the induction of
additional CTSS expression, suggesting a feedback loop responsible for the regulation of the expression and
activity of this enzyme which is so critical in inflammatory processes. An alternative to CTSS inhibition for
treatment of ocular symptoms of SS is identification and reversal of processes in the LG driving its: 1)increased
expression; 2) increased tear secretion; and 3)participation in LG inflammation. Three Aims are proposed:
Aim 1. Does dysregulation of PP2A signaling contribute to increased CTSS in LGAC in SS? Protein
phosphatase 2A (PP2A) regulates CTSS mRNA stability/translation through dephosphorylation of tristetraprolin
(TTP). Mechanisms of dysregulation of PP2A-TTP leading to increased CTSS expression and secretion from
LGAC will be explored in NOD and control mice, and in cultured LG acinar cells (LGAC). The efficacy of the
PP2A activator, DT-061, on LG and ocular surface disease will be determined in NOD and control mice.
Aim 2. Does increased trafficking through the minor secretory pathway promote increased tear CTSS in
SS? Most tear proteins are secreted from the LGAC “major” secretory pathway, but a “minor” pathway from
endolysosomes may contribute CTSS to tears. In Rab deficient mice with altered tear contributions from major
and minor pathways, changes in minor pathway cargo in tears beyond CTSS will be identified. Correlative light
and electron microscopy will identify endolysosomal membranes responsible for minor pathway secretion; these
new measures will be applied to test whether the minor pathway is increased in SS using NOD and control mice.
Aim 3. Does local or systemic modulation of endolysosomal traffic through PIKFYVE inhibition suppress
CTSS-mediated pathology in SS? PIKFYVE is a master regulator of endolysosomal trafficking and maturation,
regulating CTSS function in antigen presentation and expression of IL12/23. The effects of local and systemic
inhibition of PIKFYVE on ocular symptoms of SS will be evaluated in NOD and control mice, in parallel with
additional indicators of LGAC autoimmune epithelitis, tear and exosome abundance, and expression of IL-12/23....

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10877964
- **Project number:** 5R01EY011386-24
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
- **Principal Investigator:** Sarah F Hamm-Alvarez
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $409,873
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 1996-07-01 → 2026-06-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10877964

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10877964, Microtubule-based Transport in Lacrimal Gland Function (5R01EY011386-24). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-22 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10877964. Licensed CC0.

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