Work

Limited Regeneration of Adult Salivary Glands after Severe Injury Involves Cellular Plasticity

Year: 2018

Type: article

Abstract: In the adult salivary glands, the origin of replacement and regenerated acinar cells remains unclear. Although many reports describe the identification of stem cells in adult salivary glands, we have shown that differentiated acinar cells can be maintained and regenerated through self-duplication. Here, we have used genetic mouse models to further investigate acinar cell replacement and regeneration during homeostasis and after injury. Under normal conditions or after duct ligation, replacement of duct and acinar cells occurs through lineage-restricted progenitors. In contrast, after irradiation, in vivo lineage tracing shows that acinar, as well as duct, cells contribute to acinar cell regeneration, revealing that cellular plasticity is involved in salivary gland repair. Our results also indicate that even after radiation damage, several cell populations have regenerative potential for restoring salivary gland function.

Source: Cell Reports

DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2018.07.016

Authors: Pei-Lun Weng, Marit H. Aure, Takamitsu Maruyama, Catherine E. Ovitt

Institutions: University of Rochester Medicine, University of Rochester

Language: English

Topic: Salivary Gland Disorders and Functions

Subfield: Physiology

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $5,620