title: Caffeine increases the expression of cystatin SN in human submandibular acinar-like HSG cells.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The study aimed at evaluating in vitro the effect of caffeine on expression of cystatin SN, a potential marker of sensitivity to bitterness in humans.
  
  
  METHODS
  Differentiation of human submandibular gland (HSG) cells was induced by culturing cells on Matrigel. Caffeine cytotoxicity was assessed over 3 days by the Resazurin test. Finally, effects of 5, 50 and 100μM caffeine exposure on cystatin SN expression were explored over 3 days by ELISA.
  
  
  RESULTS
  At concentrations relevant to human adult plasma levels (5, 50 and 100μM), caffeine did not affect cell viability whether cells were differentiated or not. Cystatin SN levels were overall higher in differentiated cells and increased with time in both conditions. There was a significant (p<0.001) effect of caffeine on cystatin SN expression specifically in differentiated cells.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The HSG cell line proved to be a relevant tool to study in vitro the effect of caffeine at concentrations consistent with dietary intake in human subjects. The results suggest that salivary cystatin SN abundance may depend on caffeine intake, with possible consequences on taste sensitivity.
authors.affiliation: CNRS, UMR6265 Centre des Sciences du Goût et de l'Alimentation, F-21000 Dijon, France.
authors.forename: Micheline
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Dsamou
authors.forename: Martine
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Morzel
authors.forename: Ludovic
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Le Corre
authors.forename: Isabelle
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Séverin
authors.forename: Marie-Christine
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Chagnon
mesh_terms: D002110:Caffeine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D018929:Cell Culture Techniques; D003094:Collagen; D004338:Drug Combinations; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D006801:Humans; D007797:Laminin; D011509:Proteoglycans; D055333:Salivary Cystatins / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D013363:Submandibular Gland / Q000166:cytology*
chemical_list: D004338:Drug Combinations; D007797:Laminin; D011509:Proteoglycans; D055333:Salivary Cystatins; C059485:matrigel; D002110:Caffeine; D003094:Collagen
keywords: Bitterness; Caffeine; HSG cell line; Saliva; Submandibular gland