Concurrent transient activation of Wnt/β-catenin pathway prevents radiation damage to salivary glands.

ABSTRACT:

Purpose

Many head and neck cancer survivors treated with radiotherapy suffer from permanent impairment of their salivary gland function, for which few effective prevention or treatment options are available. This study explored the potential of transient activation of Wnt/β-catenin signaling in preventing radiation damage to salivary glands in a preclinical model.

Methods and materials

Wnt reporter transgenic mice were exposed to 15 Gy single-dose radiation in the head and neck area to evaluate the effects of radiation on Wnt activity in salivary glands. Transient Wnt1 overexpression in basal epithelia was induced in inducible Wnt1 transgenic mice before together with, after, or without local radiation, and then saliva flow rate, histology, apoptosis, proliferation, stem cel

SUBMITTER: Hai B 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3340568 | biostudies-literature | 2012 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature