Mechanism of Shaoteng Decoction in Treating Sjogren's Syndrome Based on Proteomics

Objective:Sjögren's syndrome is a complex autoimmune disorder characterized by a multifaceted pathogenesis that encompasses immune dysregulation and metabolic abnormalities. In this study, advanced proteomic and bioinformatics methodologies were used to explore the molecular mechanisms underlying SS. Our study specifically targeted the roles of three pivotal proteins —IFI30, Ndufv3, and Ndufs6, in the pathophysiology of SS. Methods: High-throughput proteomic technology was used to analyze salivary gland tissue samples from four groups of treated mice: normal, non-obese diabetic, STD, and hydroxychloroquine. The biological functions of differentially expressed proteins were elucidated using Gene Ontology term and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway analysis. Results: In this study, 3274 proteins were quantified. Among the 82 DEPs, eight were notably upregulated in the SS group, while nine exhibited decreased expression compared to the other groups. Notably, we observed the significant upregulation of IFI30 in the SS model, which is indicative of immune system activation and exacerbation of inflammatory pathways in patients with SS. Conclusion: A comparative analysis of the protein constituents in mouse salivary glands from four groups was conducted using label-free proteomics. Proteins involved in immune dysregulation and disrupted energy metabolism were significantly altered after STD intervention.