Development of a functional salivary gland tissue chip with potential for high-content drug screening

• DOI: 10.1038/s42003-021-01876-x
• Publication Date: 2021-03-19T13:04:20Z
• Authors: Yuanhui Song; Hitoshi Uchida; Azmeer Sharipol; Lindsay Piraino; Jared A. Mereness; Matthew H. Ingalls; Jonathan Rebhahn; Shawn D. Newlands; Lisa A. DeLouise; Catherine E. Ovitt; Danielle S. W. Be...
• Keywords: Salivary gland cancer; High-Content Screening

Abstract Radiation therapy for head and neck cancers causes salivary gland dysfunction leading to permanent xerostomia. Limited progress in the discovery of new therapeutic strategies is attributed lack vitro models that mimic function allow high-throughput drug screening. We address this limitation by combining engineered extracellular matrices with microbubble (MB) array technology develop functional tissue mimetics mouse human glands. demonstrate tissues encapsulated within matrix metalloproteinase-degradable poly(ethylene glycol) hydrogels formed MB arrays are viable, express key markers, exhibit polarized localization proteins. The (SGm) respond calcium signaling agonists secrete SGm were then used evaluate radiosensitivity mitigation radiation damage using a radioprotective compound. Altogether, phenotypic parameters glands, provide an enabling high-content/throughput testing.