Prospects for gene-based immunopharmacology in salivary glands

The clinical potential of gene transfer is increasing. One likely major app lication of this emerging biotechnology will be for gene therapeutics, the use of a gene as a drug. Salivary glands provide an unusual but increasingl y valuable target site for gene transfer. Studies in animal salivary glands from several laboratories, including our own, have provided proof of this concept. In this review, we provide a background and perspective on possibl e strategies for gene-based immunopharmacology in salivary glands. We use a s a target disease model the autoimmune exocrinopathy Sjogren's syndrome.