Abstract
A better understanding of the normal and diseased biology of salivary glands (SG) has been hampered, in part, due to difficulties in cultivating and maintaining salivary epithelial cells. Towards this end, we have generated a mouse salivary gland epithelial cell (mSGc) culture system that is well-suited for the molecular characterization of SG cells and their differentiation program. We demonstrate that mSGc can be maintained for multiple passages without a loss of proliferation potential, readily form 3D-spheroids and importantly express a panel of well-established salivary gland epithelial cell markers. Moreover, mSGc 3D-spheroids also exhibit functional maturation as evident by robust agonist-induced intracellular calcium signaling. Finally, transcriptomic characterization of mSGc by RNA-seq and hierarchical clustering analysis with adult organ RNA-seq datasets reveal that mSGc retain most of the molecular attributes of adult mouse salivary gland. This well-characterized mouse salivary gland cell line will fill a critical void in the field by offering a valuable resource to examine various mechanistic aspects of mouse salivary gland biology.
Highlights
Salivary glands (SG) are exocrine glands that secrete saliva, which provides lubrication necessary for proper speech, mastication, and food tasting and is of critical importance for oral health
We have generated and extensively characterized a spontaneously immortalized salivary gland epithelial cell line established from the adult mouse submandibular gland
Our results demonstrate that mouse salivary gland epithelial cell (mSGc) can be cultured in various media conditions, and maintained long-term by serial passages without a loss of proliferative, clonogenic, or sphere forming potential
Summary
Salivary glands (SG) are exocrine glands that secrete saliva, which provides lubrication necessary for proper speech, mastication, and food tasting and is of critical importance for oral health. Loss of saliva secretion due to impaired acinar cell function is commonly associated with autoimmune diseases such as Sjogren’s Syndrome, from γ-irradiation therapy used in patients with oral cancers, and developmental disorders[1,2,3]. Patients suffering from hyposalivation exhibit difficulty in speaking, swallowing and mastication, which can reduce the quality of life. Current treatment options and targeted therapies for hyposalivation are limited to medications and the use of artificial saliva, these options fail to provide permanent relief for patients[4]. The generation of salivary gland specific tools and resources aimed at both a better understanding of the basic physiological and biological mechanisms important for salivary gland biology and restoring salivary gland function are important.
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
