Salivary gland cell aggregates are derived from self-organization of acinar lineage cells

Publication date: Available online 22 October 2018

Source: Archives of Oral Biology

Author(s): Jomy J. Varghese, M. Eva Hansen, Azmeer Sharipol, Matthew H. Ingalls, Martha A. Ormanoski, Shawn D. Newlands, Catherine E. Ovitt, Danielle S.W. Benoit

Abstract

Objective

The objective of this study was to characterize the mechanism by which salivary gland cells (SGC) aggregate in vitro.

Design

Timelapse microscopy was utilized to analyze the process of salivary gland aggregate formation using both primary murine and human salivary gland cells. The role of cell density, proliferation, extracellular calcium, and secretory acinar cells in aggregate formation was investigated. Finally, the ability of cells isolated from irradiated glands to form aggregates was also evaluated.

Results

Salivary gland cell self-organization rather than proliferation was the predominant mechanism of aggregate formation in both primary mouse and human salivary gland cultures (SGC). Aggregation was found to require extracellular calcium while acinar lineage cells account for ~80% of the total aggregate cell population. Finally, aggregation was not impaired by irradiation.

Conclusions

The data reveal that aggregation occurs as a result of heterogeneous salivary gland cell self-organization rather than from stem cell proliferation and differentiation, contradicting previous dogma. These results suggest a re-evaluation of aggregate formation as a criterion defining salivary gland stem cells.

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