Oral and ocular homeostasis is dependent upon saliva, lacrimal fluid and their protein components. The function of major protein families regulating salivary and lacrimal fluid secretion is well established. The aim of this review is to summarize the role of different proteins that regulate salivary and lacrimal fluid secretion and to discuss mysregulations in diseased conditions especially xerostomia and dry eye syndrome. This review paper provides a detailed description of the abnormal localization and function of proteins, which could be responsible for loss of saliva and lacrimal fluid secretion in xerostomia and dry eye syndrome patients.
Key words: Proteins, Salivary flow, Lacrimal flow, Xerostomia, Dry eye syndrome.
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