Our lab seeks to understand how chronic autoimmune responses arise and persist in Sjögren’s disease (SjD), a systemic rheumatic disorder marked by dry eyes and mouth, fatigue, pain, and—in many patients—multiorgan involvement. By uncovering the cellular and molecular events driving immune infiltration and tissue damage in the salivary glands, we hope to identify new diagnostic markers, predict disease outcomes, and ultimately guide the development of targeted, safer therapies.

A major focus of our work is discovering which “self” antigens activate CD4+ T cells and antibody-producing B cells in affected salivary gland tissue. Using singlecell and deep sequencing approaches, we analyze Tcell receptor (TCR) and B cell receptor (BCR) repertoires in patient biopsy tissue and blood to identify expanded lymphocyte clones associated with disease, reduced saliva flow, and glandular damage. Our recent studies have identified multiple SjDassociated TCR specificity groups, including clones reactive to newly identified antigens expressed in salivary gland tissue. Ongoing collaborations aim to determine the exact antigens recognized by these pathogenic T cells and to define molecular subtypes of SjD through large, teamscience initiatives. Together, these efforts aim to provide a roadmap for precision medicine in Sjögren’s disease.