Peptide Immunization on Autoimmune Response in Nonobese Diabetic Mice

ogren’s syndrome (SS). Autoantibodies against M3R 228−237 have been shown to interfere with the function of M3R. However, few studies have been performed on the M3R 205−227 peptide of the second extracellular loop. In the current study, we sought to investigate the effect of M3R 208−227 peptide immunization on autoimmune response in NOD/LtJ mice. We synthesized the M3R 208−227 peptide and immunized NOD/LtJ mice to investigate whether peptide-specific antibodies could be generated and whether immunization would lead to changes in autoimmune response in NOD/LtJ mice. Our results demonstrate that the secretions of Th-1, Th-2, and Th-17 cytokines are downregulated and lymphocytic infiltration is improved in the salivary glands and lacrimal glands following immunization with M3R 208−227 peptide in NOD/LtJ mice, suggesting that peptide immunotherapy using the M3R 208−227 peptide may represent a potential therapeutic alternative.