Aspects of the decellularized extracellular matrix of porcine salivary glands, used as a prototype for organoid development

• Grant number: 24/04355-2
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: August 01, 2024
• End date: July 31, 2025
• Field of knowledge: Agronomical Sciences - Veterinary Medicine - Animal Pathology
• Principal Investigator: Silvia Vanessa Lourenço
• Grantee: Helena Ab' Sáber Simões
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Medicina (FM). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Salivary glands, composed of highly specialized and differentiated cells, possess limited homeostatic potential and minimal regenerative capacity post-damage. Various factors can induce changes in these glands, leading to significant oral health issues that impact overall health and patient quality of life. Given the limitations of effective treatments for salivary gland disorders, enhancing in vitro study methods for this purpose is crucial. This may provide scientific evidence on the pathological mechanisms underlying glandular dysfunctions and pave the development of novel treatment strategies. This project aims to characterize the components of the extracellular matrix in decellularized salivary gland scaffolds to address if they can be employed as a structural basis for in vitro cell growth and to offer the background to developing synthetic matrices for this purpose. The scaffolds will undergo characterization for histological features and protein patterns through morphological, immunohistochemical. Scanning electron microscopy and high-resolution computed microtomography (micro-CT) will be employed to evaluate microstructural aspects.This comparison anticipates the potential commercial application of the porcine matrix for cultivating human salivary gland cells.