1
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Granger K, Fitch S, Shen M, Lloyd J, Bhurke A, Hancock J, Ye X, Arora R. Murine uterine gland branching is necessary for gland function in implantation. Mol Hum Reprod 2024; 30:gaae020. [PMID: 38788747 PMCID: PMC11176042 DOI: 10.1093/molehr/gaae020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2023] [Revised: 05/14/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Uterine glands are branched, tubular structures whose secretions are essential for pregnancy success. It is known that pre-implantation glandular expression of leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF) is crucial for embryo implantation; however, the contribution of uterine gland structure to gland secretions, such as LIF, is not known. Here, we use mice deficient in estrogen receptor 1 (ESR1) signaling to uncover the role of ESR1 signaling in gland branching and the role of a branched structure in LIF secretion and embryo implantation. We observed that deletion of ESR1 in neonatal uterine epithelium, stroma, and muscle using the progesterone receptor PgrCre causes a block in uterine gland development at the gland bud stage. Embryonic epithelial deletion of ESR1 using a Müllerian duct Cre line, Pax2Cre, displays gland bud elongation but a failure in gland branching. Reduction of ESR1 in adult uterine epithelium using the lactoferrin-Cre (LtfCre) displays normally branched uterine glands. Unbranched glands from Pax2Cre Esr1flox/flox uteri fail to express glandular pre-implantation Lif, preventing implantation chamber formation and embryo alignment along the uterine mesometrial-antimesometrial axis. In contrast, branched glands from LtfCre Esr1flox/flox uteri display reduced expression of ESR1 and glandular Lif resulting in delayed implantation chamber formation and embryo-uterine axes alignment but mice deliver a normal number of pups. Finally, pre-pubertal unbranched glands in control mice express Lif in the luminal epithelium but fail to express Lif in the glandular epithelium, even in the presence of estrogen. These data strongly suggest that branched glands are necessary for pre-implantation glandular Lif expression for implantation success. Our study is the first to identify a relationship between the branched structure and secretory function of uterine glands and provides a framework for understanding how uterine gland structure-function contributes to pregnancy success.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katrina Granger
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Biology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA
- Institute for Quantitative Health Science and Engineering, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA
| | - Sarah Fitch
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Biology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA
- Institute for Quantitative Health Science and Engineering, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA
| | - May Shen
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Biology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA
- Institute for Quantitative Health Science and Engineering, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA
| | - Jarrett Lloyd
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Biology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA
- Institute for Quantitative Health Science and Engineering, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA
| | - Aishwarya Bhurke
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Biology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA
- Institute for Quantitative Health Science and Engineering, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA
| | - Jonathan Hancock
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
- Interdisciplinary Toxicology Program, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
| | - Xiaoqin Ye
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
- Interdisciplinary Toxicology Program, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
| | - Ripla Arora
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Biology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA
- Institute for Quantitative Health Science and Engineering, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA
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2
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Kaibori Y, Tamoto S, Okuda S, Matsuo K, Nakayama T, Nagakubo D. CCL28: A Promising Biomarker for Assessing Salivary Gland Functionality and Maintaining Healthy Oral Environments. BIOLOGY 2024; 13:147. [PMID: 38534417 DOI: 10.3390/biology13030147] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2024] [Revised: 02/20/2024] [Accepted: 02/23/2024] [Indexed: 03/28/2024]
Abstract
The oral cavity serves as the primary path through which substances from the outside world enter our body. Therefore, it functions as a critical component of host defense. Saliva is essential for maintaining a stable oral environment by catching harmful agents, including pathogens, allergens, and chemicals, in the air or food. CCL28, highly expressed in mucosal tissues, such as the colon and salivary glands, is a chemokine that attracts CCR10/CCR3 expressing cells. However, the role of CCL28 in salivary gland formation remains unclear. In this study, we investigated the salivary gland structure in CCL28-deficient mice. Histological analysis showed decreased staining intensity of Alcian blue, which detects acidic mucous, reduced expression of MUC2, and higher infiltration of gram-positive bacteria in the salivary glands of CCL28-deficient mice. In addition, CCL28-deficient mice contained ectopically MUC2-expressed cells in the ducts and reduced the expression of cytokeratin 18, a marker for ductal cells, within the submandibular glands, resulting in decreased duct numbers. Additionally, the submandibular glands of CCL28-deficient mice showed reduced expression of several stem cell markers. These results suggest that CCL28 regulates saliva production via proper differentiation of salivary gland stem cells and could be a valuable biomarker of salivary gland function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuichiro Kaibori
- Division of Health and Hygienic Sciences, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Himeji Dokkyo University, 7-2-1 Kamiohno, Himeji 670-8524, Hyogo, Japan
- Laboratory of Analytics for Biomolecules, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Science, Setsunan University, 45-1 Nagaotoge-cho, Hirakata-shi 573-0101, Osaka, Japan
| | - Saho Tamoto
- Division of Health and Hygienic Sciences, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Himeji Dokkyo University, 7-2-1 Kamiohno, Himeji 670-8524, Hyogo, Japan
| | - Sayoko Okuda
- Division of Health and Hygienic Sciences, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Himeji Dokkyo University, 7-2-1 Kamiohno, Himeji 670-8524, Hyogo, Japan
| | - Kazuhiko Matsuo
- Division of Chemotherapy, Kindai University Faculty of Pharmacy, 3-4-1 Kowakae, Higashi-Osaka 577-8502, Osaka, Japan
| | - Takashi Nakayama
- Division of Chemotherapy, Kindai University Faculty of Pharmacy, 3-4-1 Kowakae, Higashi-Osaka 577-8502, Osaka, Japan
| | - Daisuke Nagakubo
- Division of Health and Hygienic Sciences, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Himeji Dokkyo University, 7-2-1 Kamiohno, Himeji 670-8524, Hyogo, Japan
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3
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Darrigrand JF, Salowka A, Torres-Cano A, Tapia-Rojo R, Zhu T, Garcia-Manyes S, Spagnoli FM. Acinar-ductal cell rearrangement drives branching morphogenesis of the murine pancreas in an IGF/PI3K-dependent manner. Dev Cell 2024; 59:326-338.e5. [PMID: 38237591 DOI: 10.1016/j.devcel.2023.12.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2023] [Revised: 10/24/2023] [Accepted: 12/20/2023] [Indexed: 02/08/2024]
Abstract
During organ formation, progenitor cells need to acquire different cell identities and organize themselves into distinct structural units. How these processes are coordinated and how tissue architecture(s) is preserved despite the dramatic cell rearrangements occurring in developing organs remain unclear. Here, we identified cellular rearrangements between acinar and ductal progenitors as a mechanism to drive branching morphogenesis in the pancreas while preserving the integrity of the acinar-ductal functional unit. Using ex vivo and in vivo mouse models, we found that pancreatic ductal cells form clefts by protruding and pulling on the acinar basement membrane, which leads to acini splitting. Newly formed acini remain connected to the bifurcated branches generated by ductal cell rearrangement. Insulin growth factor (IGF)/phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) pathway finely regulates this process by controlling pancreatic ductal tissue fluidity, with a simultaneous impact on branching and cell fate acquisition. Together, our results explain how acinar structure multiplication and branch bifurcation are synchronized during pancreas organogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jean-Francois Darrigrand
- Centre for Gene Therapy and Regenerative Medicine, King's College London, London, Great Maze Pond, SE1 9RT London, UK
| | - Anna Salowka
- Centre for Gene Therapy and Regenerative Medicine, King's College London, London, Great Maze Pond, SE1 9RT London, UK
| | - Alejo Torres-Cano
- Centre for Gene Therapy and Regenerative Medicine, King's College London, London, Great Maze Pond, SE1 9RT London, UK
| | - Rafael Tapia-Rojo
- Department of Physics, London Centre for Nanotechnology, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Tong Zhu
- Department of Physics, Randall Centre for Cell and Molecular Biophysics, Centre for the Physical Science of Life and London Centre for Nanotechnology, King's College London, London, UK; Single-Molecule Mechanobiology Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London, UK
| | - Sergi Garcia-Manyes
- Department of Physics, Randall Centre for Cell and Molecular Biophysics, Centre for the Physical Science of Life and London Centre for Nanotechnology, King's College London, London, UK; Single-Molecule Mechanobiology Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London, UK
| | - Francesca M Spagnoli
- Centre for Gene Therapy and Regenerative Medicine, King's College London, London, Great Maze Pond, SE1 9RT London, UK.
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4
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Sellmer Ramos I, Caldeira MO, Patterson AL, Lucy MC. Uterine glands originate from islands of FOXA2-positive luminal epithelium cells that differentiate de novo and invade uterine stroma†. Biol Reprod 2024; 110:1-4. [PMID: 37962938 PMCID: PMC10790342 DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioad152] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
| | - Monica O Caldeira
- Division of Animal Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA
| | - Amanda L Patterson
- Division of Animal Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Women’s Health, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA
| | - Matthew C Lucy
- Division of Animal Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA
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Granger K, Fitch S, Shen M, Lloyd J, Bhurke A, Hancock J, Ye X, Arora R. Murine uterine gland branching is necessary for gland function in implantation. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.11.01.565233. [PMID: 37961508 PMCID: PMC10635073 DOI: 10.1101/2023.11.01.565233] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2023]
Abstract
Uterine glands are branched, tubular structures whose secretions are essential for pregnancy success. It is known that pre-implantation glandular expression of leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF) is crucial for embryo implantation, however contribution of uterine gland structure to gland secretions such as LIF is not known. Here we use mice deficient in estrogen receptor 1 (ESR1) signaling to uncover the role of ESR1 signaling in gland branching and the role of a branched structure in LIF secretion and embryo implantation. We observed that deletion of ESR1 in neonatal uterine epithelium, stroma and muscle using the progesterone receptor PgrCre causes a block in uterine gland development at the gland bud stage. Embryonic epithelial deletion of ESR1 using a mullerian duct Cre line - Pax2Cre, displays gland bud elongation but a failure in gland branching. Surprisingly, adult uterine epithelial deletion of ESR1 using the lactoferrin-Cre (LtfCre) displays normally branched uterine glands. Intriguingly, unbranched glands from Pax2Cre Esr1flox/flox uteri fail to express glandular pre-implantation Lif, preventing implantation chamber formation and embryo alignment along the uterine mesometrial-antimesometrial axis. In contrast, branched glands from LtfCre Esr1flox/flox uteri display reduced expression of glandular Lif resulting in delayed implantation chamber formation and embryo-uterine axes alignment but deliver a normal number of pups. Finally, pre-pubertal unbranched glands in control mice express Lif in the luminal epithelium but fail to express Lif in the glandular epithelium even in the presence of estrogen. These data strongly suggest that branched glands are necessary for pre-implantation glandular Lif expression for implantation success. Our study is the first to identify a relationship between the branched structure and secretory function of uterine glands and provides a framework for understanding how uterine gland structure-function contributes to pregnancy success.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katrina Granger
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Biology, Michigan State University
- Institute for Quantitative Health Science and Engineering, Michigan State University
| | - Sarah Fitch
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Biology, Michigan State University
- Institute for Quantitative Health Science and Engineering, Michigan State University
| | - May Shen
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Biology, Michigan State University
- Institute for Quantitative Health Science and Engineering, Michigan State University
| | - Jarrett Lloyd
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Biology, Michigan State University
- Institute for Quantitative Health Science and Engineering, Michigan State University
| | - Aishwarya Bhurke
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Biology, Michigan State University
- Institute for Quantitative Health Science and Engineering, Michigan State University
| | - Jonathan Hancock
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia
- Interdisciplinary Toxicology Program, University of Georgia
| | - Xiaoqin Ye
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia
- Interdisciplinary Toxicology Program, University of Georgia
| | - Ripla Arora
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Biology, Michigan State University
- Institute for Quantitative Health Science and Engineering, Michigan State University
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6
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Rattner A, Heng JS, Winer BL, Goff LA, Nathans J. Normal and Sjogren's syndrome models of the murine lacrimal gland studied at single-cell resolution. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2023; 120:e2311983120. [PMID: 37812717 PMCID: PMC10589653 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2311983120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2023] [Accepted: 08/28/2023] [Indexed: 10/11/2023] Open
Abstract
The lacrimal gland is of central interest in ophthalmology both as the source of the aqueous component of tear fluid and as the site of autoimmune pathology in the context of Sjogren's syndrome (SjS). To provide a foundational description of mouse lacrimal gland cell types and their patterns of gene expression, we have analyzed single-cell transcriptomes from wild-type (Balb/c) mice and from two genetically based SjS models, MRL/lpr and NOD (nonobese diabetic).H2b, and defined the localization of multiple cell-type-specific protein and mRNA markers. This analysis has uncovered a previously undescribed cell type, Car6+ cells, which are located at the junction of the acini and the connecting ducts. More than a dozen secreted polypeptides that are likely to be components of tear fluid are expressed by acinar cells and show pronounced sex differences in expression. Additional examples of gene expression heterogeneity within a single cell type were identified, including a gradient of Claudin4 along the length of the ductal system and cell-to-cell heterogeneity in transcription factor expression within acinar and myoepithelial cells. The patterns of expression of channels, transporters, and pumps in acinar, Car6+, and ductal cells make strong predictions regarding the mechanisms of water and electrolyte secretion. In MRL/lpr and NOD.H2b lacrimal glands, distinctive changes in parenchymal gene expression and in immune cell subsets reveal widespread interferon responses, a T cell-dominated infiltrate in the MRL/lpr model, and a mixed B cell and T cell infiltrate in the NOD.H2b model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amir Rattner
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD21205
- HHMI, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD21205
| | - Jacob S. Heng
- Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD21205
| | - Briana L. Winer
- Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD21205
- Department of Genetic Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD21205
| | - Loyal A. Goff
- Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD21205
- Department of Genetic Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD21205
- Kavli Neurodiscovery Institute, Baltimore, MD21205
| | - Jeremy Nathans
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD21205
- HHMI, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD21205
- Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD21205
- Wilmer Eye Institute, Baltimore, MD21205
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7
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Aure MH, Symonds JM, Villapudua CU, Dodge JT, Werner S, Knosp WM, Hoffman MP. FGFR2 is essential for salivary gland duct homeostasis and MAPK-dependent seromucous acinar cell differentiation. Nat Commun 2023; 14:6485. [PMID: 37838739 PMCID: PMC10576811 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-42243-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2023] [Accepted: 10/04/2023] [Indexed: 10/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Exocrine acinar cells in salivary glands (SG) are critical for oral health and loss of functional acinar cells is a major clinical challenge. Fibroblast growth factor receptors (FGFR) are essential for early development of multiple organs, including SG. However, the role of FGFR signaling in specific populations later in development and during acinar differentiation are unknown. Here, we use scRNAseq and conditional deletion of murine FGFRs in vivo to identify essential roles for FGFRs in craniofacial, early SG development and progenitor function during duct homeostasis. Importantly, we also discover that FGFR2 via MAPK signaling is critical for seromucous acinar differentiation and secretory gene expression, while FGFR1 is dispensable. We show that FGF7, expressed by myoepithelial cells (MEC), activates the FGFR2-dependent seromucous transcriptional program. Here, we propose a model where MEC-derived FGF7 drives seromucous acinar differentiation, providing a rationale for targeting FGFR2 signaling in regenerative therapies to restore acinar function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marit H Aure
- Matrix and Morphogenesis Section, National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA.
| | - Jennifer M Symonds
- Matrix and Morphogenesis Section, National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Carlos U Villapudua
- Matrix and Morphogenesis Section, National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Joshua T Dodge
- Matrix and Morphogenesis Section, National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Sabine Werner
- Institute of Molecular Health Sciences, Department of Biology, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH), Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Wendy M Knosp
- Matrix and Morphogenesis Section, National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Matthew P Hoffman
- Matrix and Morphogenesis Section, National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA.
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Lin X, Sun L, Lu M, Zhao Y. Biomimetic Gland Models with Engineered Stratagems. RESEARCH (WASHINGTON, D.C.) 2023; 6:0232. [PMID: 37719047 PMCID: PMC10503994 DOI: 10.34133/research.0232] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2023] [Accepted: 08/29/2023] [Indexed: 09/19/2023]
Abstract
As extensively distributed tissues throughout the human body, glands play a critical role in various physiological processes. Therefore, the construction of biomimetic gland models in vitro has aroused great interest in multiple disciplines. In the biological field, the researchers focus on optimizing the cell sources and culture techniques to reconstruct the specific structures and functions of glands, such as the emergence of organoid technology. From the perspective of biomedical engineering, the generation of biomimetic gland models depends on the combination of engineered scaffolds and microfluidics, to mimic the in vivo environment of glandular tissues. These engineered stratagems endowed gland models with more biomimetic features, as well as a wide range of application prospects. In this review, we first describe the biomimetic strategies for constructing different in vitro gland models, focusing on the role of microfluidics in promoting the structure and function development of biomimetic glands. After summarizing several common in vitro models of endocrine and exocrine glands, the applications of gland models in disease modelling, drug screening, regenerative medicine, and personalized medicine are enumerated. Finally, we conclude the current challenges and our perspective of these biomimetic gland models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiang Lin
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, School of Biological Science and Medical Engineering,
Southeast University, Nanjing 210096, China
- Oujiang Laboratory (Zhejiang Lab for Regenerative Medicine, Vision and Brain Health),
Wenzhou Institute, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325001, China
| | - Lingyu Sun
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, School of Biological Science and Medical Engineering,
Southeast University, Nanjing 210096, China
| | - Minhui Lu
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, School of Biological Science and Medical Engineering,
Southeast University, Nanjing 210096, China
| | - Yuanjin Zhao
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, School of Biological Science and Medical Engineering,
Southeast University, Nanjing 210096, China
- Oujiang Laboratory (Zhejiang Lab for Regenerative Medicine, Vision and Brain Health),
Wenzhou Institute, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325001, China
- Southeast University Shenzhen Research Institute, Shenzhen 518071, China
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9
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Ono-Minagi H, Nohno T, Serizawa T, Usami Y, Sakai T, Okano H, Ohuchi H. The Germinal Origin of Salivary and Lacrimal Glands and the Contributions of Neural Crest Cell-Derived Epithelium to Tissue Regeneration. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:13692. [PMID: 37761995 PMCID: PMC10531458 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241813692] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2023] [Revised: 08/27/2023] [Accepted: 08/30/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The vertebrate body comprises four distinct cell populations: cells derived from (1) ectoderm, (2) mesoderm, (3) endoderm, and (4) neural crest cells, often referred to as the fourth germ layer. Neural crest cells arise when the neural plate edges fuse to form a neural tube, which eventually develops into the brain and spinal cord. To date, the embryonic origin of exocrine glands located in the head and neck remains under debate. In this study, transgenic TRiCK mice were used to investigate the germinal origin of the salivary and lacrimal glands. TRiCK mice express fluorescent proteins under the regulatory control of Sox1, T/Brachyury, and Sox17 gene expressions. These genes are representative marker genes for neuroectoderm (Sox1), mesoderm (T), and endoderm (Sox17). Using this approach, the cellular lineages of the salivary and lacrimal glands were examined. We demonstrate that the salivary and lacrimal glands contain cells derived from all three germ layers. Notably, a subset of Sox1-driven fluorescent cells differentiated into epithelial cells, implying their neural crest origin. Also, these Sox1-driven fluorescent cells expressed high levels of stem cell markers. These cells were particularly pronounced in duct ligation and wound damage models, suggesting the involvement of neural crest-derived epithelial cells in regenerative processes following tissue injury. This study provides compelling evidence clarifying the germinal origin of exocrine glands and the contribution of neural crest-derived cells within the glandular epithelium to the regenerative response following tissue damage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hitomi Ono-Minagi
- Department of Cytology and Histology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama 700-8558, Japan
- Research Fellow of Japan Society for the Promotion of Science, Tokyo 102-0083, Japan
| | - Tsutomu Nohno
- Department of Cytology and Histology, Okayama University Medical School, Okayama 700-8558, Japan
| | - Takashi Serizawa
- Department of Physiology, Keio University School of Medicine, Shinjuku, Tokyo 160-8582, Japan
| | - Yu Usami
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology, Osaka University Graduate School of Dentistry, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
| | - Takayoshi Sakai
- Department of Rehabilitation for Orofacial Disorders, Osaka University Graduate School of Dentistry, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
| | - Hideyuki Okano
- Department of Physiology, Keio University School of Medicine, Shinjuku, Tokyo 160-8582, Japan
| | - Hideyo Ohuchi
- Department of Cytology and Histology, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University, Okayama 700-8558, Japan
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