Abstract
OBJECTIVE: The phenotype of the cells present in the ductal region of salivary glands has been well characterized. However, it is imperative to identify novel biomarkers that can identify different cell types present in other glandular components for the development of therapeutic strategies and diagnostics of salivary gland disorders and malignancies. Our study aimed at the characterization of the expression and distribution of various cell surface markers, especially with a focus on CD29 in human fetal as well as adult glands. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Paired human midgestation fetal and adult parotid, sublingual, and submandibular glands were collected. Phenotypic expression of various lineage-specific cell surface markers including CD29 was investigated in freshly collected glands. The findings were further corroborated by immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: Enriched expression of CD29 was found on acinar and ductal epithelial, mesenchymal stromal, and myoepithelial cells; CD29(+) cells co-expressed epithelial (CD324, CD326, NKCC1, and CD44), mesenchymal (CD73, CD90, vimentin, and CD34), and myoepithelial (α-SMA) cell-specific progenitor markers in both fetal as well as adult salivary glands. CONCLUSION: CD29 is widely expressed in human salivary glands, and it could serve as a potential biomarker for devising novel cellular therapeutic and diagnostic strategies for salivary gland disorders and malignancies.