STANDARDIZATION OF IN VITRO SALIVARY GLAND CULTURE FOR ANALYSIS OF THEIR DEGNERATIVE PROCESSES IN CLIMATERIUM WOMEN

• Grant number: 24/13760-8
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: January 01, 2025
• End date: December 31, 2025
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Genetics - Human and Medical Genetics
• Principal Investigator: Kátia Cândido Carvalho
• Grantee: Paola Mariano Perdomo de Castro
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Medicina (FM). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Salivary gland hypofunction results in xerostomia, impacting not only oral homeostasis, but also digestive and psychosocial functions. During menopause, glandular senescence and its replacement by adipose tissue, due to hypoestrogenism and chronic inflammation, worsen this condition. The effectiveness of current treatments such as saliva substitutes and sialogogues is debatable, and new approaches such as stem cell therapies and bioengineered glands are being explored. In research, organoid models were developed to study xerophthalmia, using lacrimal glands from rodents, pigs and humans. Porcine models have been shown to be more comparable to humans, showing their potential for drug research. It proposes the creation of in vitro models of human and porcine salivary glands to study xerostomia, reducing the need for vivariums and laboratory animals, and promoting advances in the understanding and treatment of this condition. Objective: establish sustainable salivary gland models for functional studies, including cell cultures and organoids. Methods: include clinical data collection, cell and organoid culture, characterization with phenotypic markers, and evaluation of the gene expression profile and microRNAs. We hope that these models will allow the development of specific therapies and bioengineered glands to treat xerostomia, improving the quality of life of affected women and promoting advances in biomedicine.