Lumen formation in three-dimensional cultures of salivary acinar cells.
OBJECTIVE
Development of an artificial salivary gland will benefit patients with xerostomia after radiation therapy for upper respiratory cancer. The goal is to devise a three-dimensional (3D) culture system in which salivary cells differentiate into polarized acini that express essential biomarkers and directionally secrete alpha-amylase. Differentiated acini-like structures in a 3D biomaterial-based scaffold will mimic salivary gland functions.


METHODS
Cells were seeded onto HA-based hydrogels containing PlnDIV peptide and allowed to differentiate into acini-like structures. Cell viability and phenotype were examined.


METHODS
Laboratory-based tissue procurement study.


METHODS
Salivary gland tissue was obtained from patients undergoing surgery. Marker expression established the phenotype of salivary gland cells. Perlecan/HSPG2, an important component of the basement membrane, was highly expressed in salivary gland tissue. A culture system consisting of hyaluronic acid (HA) hydrogel and a coupled bioactive peptide derived from domain IV of perlecan (PlnDIV) was used. Prior studies demonstrated differentiation of acinar cells into lobular structures that mimicked intact glands when cultured on PlnDIV peptide-coated surfaces.


RESULTS
Lobular acini-like structures formed on hydrogels and expressed tight junction components such as zona occludens 1. Acini-like structures were stained for the presence of alpha-amylase. Live/dead staining revealed the presence of apoptotic cells in the center of the acini-like structures, indicative of lumen formation.


CONCLUSIONS
A novel system supporting acini-like assembly in a 3D culture system was established. Presence of biomarkers and secretion of salivary enzymes confirms functionality in vitro. Future experiments will test the 3D system in an animal model.
Pradhan
Swati
S
Department of Biological Sciences, University of Delaware, Newark, DE 19713-2070, USA.
Liu
Chao
C
Zhang
Chu
C
Jia
Xinqiao
X
Farach-Carson
Mary C
MC
Witt
Robert L
RL
D002454:Cell Differentiation; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D019812:Heparan Sulfate Proteoglycans / Q000494:pharmacology; D006801:Humans; D007822:Laryngeal Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000532:radiotherapy; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000532:radiotherapy; D046529:Microscopy, Electron, Transmission; D008858:Microscopy, Phase-Contrast; D009024:Morphogenesis; D010610:Pharyngeal Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000532:radiotherapy; D018714:Radiotherapy, Adjuvant / Q000009:adverse effects; D018987:Salivary Ducts / Q000166:cytology / Q000254:growth & development; D012469:Salivary Glands / Q000166:cytology* / Q000187:drug effects / Q000254:growth & development*; D046509:Tissue Culture Techniques / Q000379:methods*; D023822:Tissue Engineering / Q000379:methods*; D014987:Xerostomia / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy
D019812:Heparan Sulfate Proteoglycans; C071927:perlecan