FGFR2b is essential for salivary gland duct homeostasis and MAPK-dependent seromucous acinar cell differentiation.

ABSTRACT: Exocrine secretory acinar cells in salivary glands (SG) are critical for oral health and loss of functional acinar cells is a major clinical challenge. Fibroblast growth factor receptors (FGFR) are essential for early development of multiple organs, including SG. However, the role of FGFR signaling in specific epithelial SG populations later in development and during acinar differentiation are unknown. Here, we predicted FGFR dependence in specific populations using scRNAseq data and conditional mouse models to delete FGFRs in vivo. We identifed essential roles for FGFRs in craniofacial and early SG development, as well as progenitor function during duct homeostasis. Importantly, we discovered that FGFR2b was critical for seromucous and serous acinar cell differentiation and secretory gene

SUBMITTER: Aure MH 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9949235 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature