Regional atrophy, cellular plasticity, and regenerative potential in irradiated murine salivary glands.

ABSTRACT:

Background and purpose

Radiotherapy of head and neck cancer may cause detrimental late side effects such as fibrosis and hyposalivation. We investigated mouse salivary glands after fractionated irradiation, with the aim to elucidate cellular plasticity and potential regeneration.

Methods

12-week-old female C57BL/6JRj mice were irradiated with X-rays to a total dose of 66 Gy, given in 10 fractions over 5 days. The radiation field covered the oral cavity and major salivary glands. The submandibular (SMG), sublingual (SLG), and parotid glands (PG) were dissected at day 100 after finishing irradiation. Using different histological staining techniques, morphological, cellular, and molecular changes were investigated in irradiated and control SMG, SLG, and PG.

Results

Atrop

SUBMITTER: Juvkam IS 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12305691 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature