Expression and distribution of tenascin in rat submandibular glands following irradiation.
The aim of this study was to investigate the late changes in the expression of tenascin-C (TN-C) in salivary glands (SG) following irradiation (IRR).


METHODS
In 124 submandibular SG from 62 Wistar rats, the effect of IRR dose (fractionated IRR, 2 Gy per day, total dose of 20, 40, or 60 Gy), time since IRR (6 months vs. 12 months), and animal age (1 year vs. 1.5 years) on TN-C expression profile and its distribution pattern was investigated.


RESULTS
Expression of TN-C showed slight to moderate alterations in the irradiated specimens. The expression differed in frequency and degree among various tissue structures. The most striking finding was pronounced dose-dependent heterogeneity, with increases, decreases and fluctuations in staining.


CONCLUSIONS
The staining of TN-C predominantly showed notable dose-dependent heterogeneity, persisting for up to 1 year after completion of IRR. Thus, these findings can be attributed to late radiation effects. The altered expression of tenascin-C may play at least a partial role in late radiogenic dysfunction of the submandibular SG.
Bartel-Friedrich
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Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Section of Phoniatrics and Pedaudiology, University Hospital, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle (Saale), Germany. sylva.bartel-friedrich@medizin.uni-halle.de
Lautenschläger
C
C
Holzhausen
H-J
HJ
Friedrich
R E
RE
D000818:Animals; D019583:Dose Fractionation, Radiation; D004307:Dose-Response Relationship, Radiation; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D007107:Immune System; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D013363:Submandibular Gland / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000528:radiation effects*; D019063:Tenascin / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000502:physiology; D013997:Time Factors
D019063:Tenascin