Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To review the research progress in cell therapy and tissue engineering approach to regenerate salivary gland so as to provide a theoretical basis for the treatment of salivary hypofunction. METHODS: The recent literature on cell therapy and tissue engineering for the regeneration of salivary glands was reviewed and summarized. RESULTS: It is feasible to repair the salivary function by using various stem cells to repair damaged tissue, or by establishing salivary gland tissue ex vivo for salivary gland function restoration and reconstruction. However, the mechanism of three dimensional culturing salivary organoids during organogenesis and function expressing and the potential influence of tissue specific extracellular matrix during this process should be further studied. CONCLUSION: Basic research of cell therapy and salivary tissue engineering should be deeply developed, and a standardized culturing system should be established in vitro. In addition, it is of great significance to study the in vivo effects of salivary gland-specific cells, non salivary gland epithelial cells and transplanted gene-transfected stem cells.