Granzyme A-producing type 1 innate lymphoid cells promote salivary secretion in the aged submandibular gland.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Salivary gland function declines with age, contributing to periodontitis and aspiration pneumonia. However, the cellular mechanisms that preserve secretion during aging remain unclear.

Methods

Mice were stratified by aging stage, and saliva output and tissue histology were assessed. To infer cell-cell communication, regions surrounding lymphocyte clusters were microdissected and subjected to site-specific single-cell RNA sequencing. Epithelial cell responses were evaluated in a coculture system using a neutralizing antibody. Finally, physiological relevance was assessed by in vivo depletion, followed by quantification of changes in saliva secretion.

Results

Saliva production was maintained or modestly increased during early aging stages and coincided with t

SUBMITTER: Abe H 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12930742 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature