Human and swine salivary glands: comparative aspects and a pilot study for the development of an in vitro experimental model

• Grant number: 24/06528-1
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: August 01, 2024
• End date: July 31, 2025
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Morphology - Histology
• Principal Investigator: Silvia Vanessa Lourenço
• Grantee: Helena de Oliveira Ramires
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Medicina (FM). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil

Abstract

The overall understanding of some aspects of the basic functioning of the salivary glands through aggression lacks evidence. The limitations in the production of knowledge in this area are due to scarce experimental models and the limitation to obtain specimens derived from humans; the vast majority of studies are conducted in rodents, whose glandular physiology cannot be fully transcribed and applied to humans. Recently, researchers are committed to developing tissue engineering models that translate into animal models and organoid models of salivary glands, providing valuable tools for studies. Faced with the challenges imposed to understanding the physiopathology of xerostomia in diseases that lead to dysfunctional processes of the salivary glands, the present study proposes the following scientific question: Can the salivary glands of swine be an interesting experimental model for comparative studies with human salivary glands? To answer this question, we aim to study the salivary glands of swine - using histology and ultra-structure analysis; these aspects will be compared with human salivary glands. This strategy is justified by the recognized similarity between other swine organs and those of humans, although this evidence is not yet completely dominated within the salivary glands. The research will also include a pilot study on the feasibility of establishing cultures of porcine salivary glands for the creation of in vitro salivary gland models for functional investigations for future research without the use of laboratory animals.