Promoting Polarization and Differentiation of Primary Human Salivary Gland Stem/Progenitor Cells in Protease-Degradable Hydrogels via ROCK Inhibition.

Publication/Presentation Date

3-26-2025

Abstract

Toward the goal of in vitro engineering of functional salivary gland tissues, we cultured primary human salivary stem/progenitor cells (hS/PCs) in hyaluronic acid-based matrices with varying percentages of proteolytically degradable crosslinks in the presence of Rho kinase (ROCK) inhibitor. Single cells encapsulated in the hydrogel grew into organized multicellular structures by day 15, and over 60% of the structures developed in the nondegradable and 50% degradable hydrogels contained a central lumen. Importantly, ROCK inhibition led to the establishment of multicellular structures that were correctly polarized, as evidenced by apical localization of a Golgi marker GM130, apical/lateral localization of tight junction protein zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1), and basal localization of integrin β1 and basement membrane proteins laminin α1 and collagen IV. Cultures maintained in 50% degradable gels with ROCK inhibition exhibited an increased expression of acinar markers aquaporin 5 (

Volume

17

Issue

12

First Page

18083

Last Page

18095

ISSN

1944-8252

Disciplines

Business Administration, Management, and Operations | Health and Medical Administration | Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods

PubMedID

40095914

Department(s)

Administration and Leadership

Document Type

Article

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