Transient Activation of the Hedgehog-Gli Pathway Rescues Radiotherapy-Induced Dry Mouth via Recovering Salivary Gland Resident Macrophages.

ABSTRACT: Irreversible hypofunction of salivary glands is a common side effect of radiotherapy for head and neck cancer and is difficult to remedy. Recent studies indicate that transient activation of Hedgehog signaling rescues irradiation-impaired salivary function in animal models, but the underlying mechanisms are largely unclear. Here, we show in mice that activation of canonical Gli-dependent Hedgehog signaling by Gli1 gene transfer is sufficient to recover salivary function impaired by irradiation. Salivary gland cells responsive to Hedgehog/Gli signaling comprised small subsets of macrophages, epithelial cells, and endothelial cells, and their progeny remained relatively rare long after irradiation and transient Hedgehog activation. Quantities and activities of salivary gland resident macroph

SUBMITTER: Zhao Q 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7744395 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature