Matrix Biology of the Salivary Gland: A Guide for Tissue Engineering

Salivary glands produce saliva needed to carry out daily functions such as initiation of food digestion, lubrication of the oral cavity, and prevention of oral diseases. Xerostomia, or dry mouth due to hyposalivation, can occur in individuals with Sjogren’s syndrome or in patients who receive radiation therapy to treat head and neck cancer. This chapter will focus on the bioengineering approaches in salivary gland regeneration that seek to restore salivary function in patients suffering from xerostomia. A brief description of salivary gland function, structure, and development will be provided first as this information is vital to inform any salivary gland tissue engineering efforts. Additionally, examples of salivary gland-derived stem/progenitor cells that are used in various salivary gland regeneration models will be introduced along with a brief description of each utility as source material for tissue engineering. Lastly, we will review matrices for three-dimensional cell culture, including decellularized native extracellular matrix scaffolds, Matrigel®, and scaffolds containing biologically derived natural polymers, polysaccharides, and biologically active protein fragments. Together, these elements will provide a current view of the state-of-the-art clinical approaches to relieve xerostomia using three-dimensional culture techniques.