Faculty, Staff and Student Publications
Publication Date
4-1-2021
Journal
Cellular and Molecular Life Sciences
Abstract
The mammalian salivary gland develops as a highly branched structure designed to produce and secrete saliva. This review focuses on research conducted on mammalian salivary gland development, particularly on the differentiation of acinar, ductal, and myoepithelial cells. We discuss recent studies that provide conceptual advances in the understanding of the molecular mechanisms of salivary gland development. In addition, we describe the organogenesis of submandibular glands (SMGs), model systems used for the study of SMG development, and the key signaling pathways as well as cellular processes involved in salivary gland development. The findings from the recent studies elucidating the identity of stem/progenitor cells in the SMGs, and the process by which they are directed along a series of cell fate decisions to form functional glands, are also discussed. Advances in genetic tools and tissue engineering strategies will significantly increase our knowledge about the mechanisms by which signaling pathways and cells establish tissue architecture and function during salivary gland development, which may also be conserved in the growth and development of other organ systems. An increased knowledge of organ development mechanisms will have profound implications in the design of therapies for the regrowth or repair of injured tissues. In addition, understanding how the processes of cell survival, expansion, specification, movement, and communication with neighboring cells are regulated under physiological and pathological conditions is critical to the development of future treatments.
Keywords
Animals, Cell Differentiation, Humans, Organogenesis, Salivary Glands, Signal Transduction, Stem Cells, Salivary gland, Morphogenesis, Development, Cell signaling, Submandibular glands
DOI
10.1007/s00018-020-03741-2
PMID
33449148
PMCID
PMC11071883
PubMedCentral® Posted Date
1-15-2021
PubMedCentral® Full Text Version
Post-print
Recommended Citation
Suzuki, Akiko; Ogata, Kenichi; and Iwata, Junichi, "Cell Signaling Regulation in Salivary Gland Development" (2021). Faculty, Staff and Student Publications. 72.
https://digitalcommons.library.tmc.edu/uthdb_docs/72
Published Open-Access
yes
Included in
Biological Phenomena, Cell Phenomena, and Immunity Commons, Dentistry Commons, Medical Molecular Biology Commons
