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 tissueex 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 establishedin vitro. In addition, it is of great significance to study thein vivo effects of salivary gland-specific cells, non salivary gland epithelial cells and transplanted gene-transfected stem cells.
