Salivary gland dysfunction influences countless people worldwide, resulting in conditions such as xerostomia, or dry mouth, which significantly impacts quality of life. This problem is prevalent amongst the senior and patients undertaking radiation therapy for head and neck cancers. Xerostomia can cause troubles in talking, eating, and swallowing, and can result in dental infections and dental decay because of lowered saliva manufacturing. Currently, available therapies provide only short-lived relief and usually featured side effects. These treatments consist of saliva stimulants and alternatives, however they do not resolve the underlying glandular damages. Nonetheless, assuring new research in tissue design offers expect much more effective and lasting options by concentrating on regenerating the damaged tissues and recovering regular gland feature.
Scientists from the College at Albany, led by Professor Susan Sharfstein, in addition to Stephen Rose, Teacher Melinda Larsen, and Dr. Yubing Xie, have conducted a considerable evaluation of present innovations in salivary gland cells engineering. This testimonial, released in the journal Bioengineering, highlights the most recent advancements and future directions in this swiftly developing area.
Salivary gland bioengineering concentrates on bring back the gland’s capacity to generate saliva via ingenious methods such as gene therapy, stem cell-based therapy, and the use of encouraging biomaterials and scaffold fabrication approaches. The researchers discovered a series of cells ideal for cells engineering, consisting of cell lines, main salivary gland cells, and stem cells. These cells are important for enhancing salivary gland cell survival, distinction, and engraftment.
Teacher Sharfstein explained, “Our research looks into the influence of fibrosis and cellular senescence on salivary gland pathologies and examines ingenious engineering strategies to enhance vascularization, innervation, and engraftment of engineered salivary gland tissue.” The testimonial underscores the potential of bioprinting, microfluidic hydrogels, mesh electronics, and nanoparticles in advancing salivary gland cells regeneration.
The research also discusses the importance of understanding the molecular devices behind salivary gland development and feature. Salivary glands are made up of three significant kinds: parotid, submandibular, and sublingual glands, each producing different components of saliva. The worked with efforts of multiple cell kinds, including acinar, myoepithelial, basic, and ductal cells, are essential for saliva manufacturing.
Professor Sharfstein kept in mind, “Fibroblast growth aspects (FGFs) and other morphogens play a pivotal duty in the advancement and branching morphogenesis of salivary glands. Comprehending these molecular cues is essential for creating efficient cells design techniques.”
The testimonial highlights the obstacles postured by fibrosis and cellular senescence in salivary gland pathologies. Conditions like Sjögren’s disorder and radiation-induced damage lead to a boost in senescent cells and fibrosis, further making complex the regeneration process. The researchers emphasize the need for tissue replacement and the development of a host cells atmosphere for regrowth.
Professor Sharfstein stated, “Senescent cells create secreted aspects that can drive neighboring cells to senescence, producing a cycle that hinders tissue regrowth. Our testimonial suggests techniques to reduce or reverse these effects, which is critical for successful salivary gland bioengineering.”
Finally, Teacher Susan Sharfstein and her colleagues highlight the potential of regenerative medicine and cells design in giving much more effective therapies for salivary gland disorder. By leveraging sophisticated methods and a deeper understanding of salivary gland biology, these ingenious strategies hold assurance for improving the lifestyle for millions of people struggling with xerostomia and relevant problems.
Journal Recommendation
Rose, Stephen C., Teacher Melinda Larsen, Dr. Yubing Xie, and Teacher Susan T. Sharfstein. “Salivary Gland Bioengineering.” Bioengineering, 11 (2024: 28 DOI: https://doi.org/ 10 3390/ bioengineering 11010028
Regarding the Authors
Teacher Susan T. Sharfstein is a leading academic in the University of Nanoscale Science & & Design at the University at Albany (SUNY). She holds a PhD in Chemical Engineering (UC Berkeley, 1993 and a BS with honors in Chemical Design (Caltech,1987 Her proving ground on enhancing animal cell systems– particularly concentrating on healthy protein and carb manufacturing– in biomanufacturing contexts, consisting of making use of omics devices to boost heparin and monoclonal antibody production in CHO cells. She has actually received noteworthy recognition such as a 2023 SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Quality in Scholarship and multiple fellowships. Her laboratory likewise lately protected an NSF SBIR give to sustain AI-driven medication exploration.
Stephen Christopher Rose is a researcher associated with the Sharfstein Lab at the University at Albany. His work highlights progressing healthspan with bioengineering and nanotechnology. He establishes ingenious 3 D in vitro models to research fibrosis and mobile senescence, working extensively in mammalian stem cell society and bioreactor technology.
Teacher Melinda Larsen is the Williams-Raycheff Endowed Teacher in the Department of Biological Sciences at the University at Albany (SUNY). Her research study checks out the cell and molecular systems underlying branching morphogenesis, especially in salivary gland development, with the goal of using this understanding to cells regrowth and repair. Her work addresses epithelial– mesenchymal interactions, extracellular matrix signaling, and the engineering of regenerative medicine methods for salivary hypofunction. She has actually additionally lately been sworn in as a Fellow of the American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering.
Dr. Yubing Xie is a Teacher in the College of Nanoscale Scientific Research & & Design at the College at Albany (SUNY) and Director of the Useful and Integrative Cells Regrowth Facility. She completed her BS in Chemical Design at Dalian College of Innovation, and her MS and PhD in Chemical Design at the Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, complied with by postdoctoral training in stem cell biology and tissue design at Ohio State College. Her competence spans nanobiotechnology, bioengineering, stem cell treatment, cells engineering, and regenerative medicine. In 2025, she was inducted right into the AIMBE University of Fellows– among the greatest honors in biomedical design.