In order to better understand the local role of TNF and the effect of TNF soluble receptor based therapies on SG activity, we have stably expressed soluble TNFR1:IgG fusion protein locally in the SGs of NOD mice and followed stimulated saliva flow, sialadenitis, cytokine production, autoantibody levels, and insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) over 18 weeks. The gene discussed is TNF; the disease is diabetes mellitus.