This project aims to expand the patient pool necessary to test the hypothesis that elevated cathepsin S activity is selectively increased in Sjogren's syndrome patients, but not in patients with other autoimmune or ocular surface disorders. This project further aims to determine whether cathepsin S immunoreactivity in patient tears is an accurate indicator of cathepsin S enzymatic activity.

NIH Funding Acknowledgment: Important - All publications resulting from the utilization of SC CTSI resources are required to credit the SC CTSI grant by including the NIH funding acknowledgment and must comply with the NIH Public Access Policy.