Salivary gland dysfunction impacts hundreds of thousands of individuals worldwide, resulting in circumstances reminiscent of xerostomia, or dry mouth, which considerably impacts high quality of life. This situation is prevalent among the many aged and sufferers present process radiation remedy for head and neck cancers. Xerostomia may cause difficulties in talking, consuming, and swallowing, and may result in oral infections and dental decay because of decreased saliva manufacturing. At present, accessible remedies present solely short-term reduction and infrequently include unintended effects. These remedies embody saliva stimulants and substitutes, however they don’t handle the underlying glandular harm. Nonetheless, promising new analysis in tissue engineering provides hope for more practical and lasting options by specializing in regenerating the broken tissues and restoring regular gland operate.
Researchers from the College at Albany, led by Professor Susan Sharfstein, together with Stephen Rose, Professor Melinda Larsen, and Dr. Yubing Xie, have carried out an in depth overview of present developments in salivary gland tissue engineering. This overview, revealed within the journal Bioengineering, highlights the newest developments and future instructions on this quickly evolving discipline.
Salivary gland bioengineering focuses on restoring the gland’s potential to supply saliva by way of progressive strategies reminiscent of gene remedy, stem cell-based remedy, and the usage of supportive biomaterials and scaffold fabrication strategies. The researchers explored a spread of cells appropriate for tissue engineering, together with cell traces, main salivary gland cells, and stem cells. These cells are important for enhancing salivary gland cell survival, differentiation, and engraftment.
Professor Sharfstein defined, “Our research delves into the influence of fibrosis and mobile senescence on salivary gland pathologies and evaluates progressive engineering methods to enhance vascularization, innervation, and engraftment of engineered salivary gland tissue.” The overview underscores the potential of bioprinting, microfluidic hydrogels, mesh electronics, and nanoparticles in advancing salivary gland tissue regeneration.
The research additionally discusses the significance of understanding the molecular mechanisms behind salivary gland improvement and performance. Salivary glands are composed of three main sorts: parotid, submandibular, and sublingual glands, every producing totally different parts of saliva. The coordinated efforts of a number of cell sorts, together with acinar, myoepithelial, basal, and ductal cells, are essential for saliva manufacturing.
Professor Sharfstein famous, “Fibroblast progress elements (FGFs) and different morphogens play a pivotal function within the improvement and branching morphogenesis of salivary glands. Understanding these molecular cues is important for creating efficient tissue engineering methods.”
The overview highlights the challenges posed by fibrosis and mobile senescence in salivary gland pathologies. Circumstances like Sjögren’s syndrome and radiation-induced harm result in a rise in senescent cells and fibrosis, additional complicating the regeneration course of. The researchers emphasize the necessity for tissue substitute and the creation of a bunch tissue surroundings conducive to regeneration.
Professor Sharfstein acknowledged, “Senescent cells produce secreted elements that may drive neighboring cells to senescence, making a cycle that impedes tissue regeneration. Our overview suggests methods to mitigate or reverse these results, which is essential for profitable salivary gland bioengineering.”
In conclusion, Professor Susan Sharfstein and her colleagues spotlight the potential of regenerative medication and tissue engineering in offering more practical remedies for salivary gland dysfunction. By leveraging superior strategies and a deeper understanding of salivary gland biology, these progressive approaches maintain promise for enhancing the standard of life for hundreds of thousands of people affected by xerostomia and associated circumstances.
Journal Reference
Rose, Stephen C., Professor Melinda Larsen, Dr. Yubing Xie, and Professor Susan T. Sharfstein. “Salivary Gland Bioengineering.” Bioengineering, 11 (2024): 28. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/bioengineering11010028
In regards to the Authors
Professor Susan T. Sharfstein is a number one tutorial within the Faculty of Nanoscale Science & Engineering on the College at Albany (SUNY). She holds a PhD in Chemical Engineering (UC Berkeley, 1993) and a BS with honors in Chemical Engineering (Caltech, 1987). Her analysis facilities on optimizing mammalian cell methods—significantly specializing in protein and carbohydrate manufacturing—in biomanufacturing contexts, together with the usage of omics instruments to boost heparin and monoclonal antibody manufacturing in CHO cells. She has obtained notable recognition reminiscent of a 2023 SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Scholarship and a number of fellowships. Her lab additionally not too long ago secured an NSF SBIR grant to assist AI-driven drug discovery.
Stephen Christopher Rose is a researcher affiliated with the Sharfstein Lab on the College at Albany. His work emphasizes advancing healthspan by way of bioengineering and nanotechnology. He develops progressive 3D in vitro fashions to review fibrosis and mobile senescence, working extensively in mammalian stem cell tradition and bioreactor expertise.
Professor Melinda Larsen is the Williams-Raycheff Endowed Professor within the Division of Organic Sciences on the College at Albany (SUNY). Her analysis investigates the cell and molecular mechanisms underlying branching morphogenesis, significantly in salivary gland improvement, with the purpose of making use of this information to tissue regeneration and restore. Her work addresses epithelial–mesenchymal interactions, extracellular matrix signaling, and the engineering of regenerative medication approaches for salivary hypofunction. She has additionally not too long ago been inducted as a Fellow of the American Institute for Medical and Organic Engineering.
Dr. Yubing Xie is a Professor within the Faculty of Nanoscale Science & Engineering on the College at Albany (SUNY) and Director of the Useful and Integrative Tissue Regeneration Middle. She accomplished her BS in Chemical Engineering at Dalian College of Know-how, and her MS and PhD in Chemical Engineering on the Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese language Academy of Sciences, adopted by postdoctoral coaching in stem cell biology and tissue engineering at Ohio State College. Her experience spans nanobiotechnology, bioengineering, stem cell remedy, tissue engineering, and regenerative medication. In 2025, she was inducted into the AIMBE Faculty of Fellows—one of many highest honors in biomedical engineering.
