Evaluating the transcriptional landscape and cell-cell communication networks in chronically irradiated parotid glands

NIDCD/NIDCR Genomics and Computational Biology Core

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

3 Scopus citations

Abstract

Understanding the transcriptional landscape that results in chronic salivary hypofunction after irradiation will help identify injury mechanisms and develop regenerative therapies. We present scRNA-seq analysis from control and irradiated murine parotid glands collected 10 months after irradiation. We identify a population of secretory cells defined by specific expression of Etv1, which may be an acinar cell precursor. Acinar and Etv1+ secretory express Ntrk2 and Erbb3, respectively while the ligands for these receptors are expressed in myoepithelial and stromal cells. Furthermore, our data suggests that secretory cells and CD4+CD8+T-cells are the most transcriptionally affected during chronic injury with radiation, suggesting active immune involvement. Lastly, evaluation of cell-cell communication networks predicts that neurotrophin, neuregulin, ECM, and immune signaling are dysregulated after irradiation, and thus may play a role in the lack of repair. This resource will be helpful to understand cell-specific pathways that may be targeted to repair chronic damage in irradiated glands.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Article number106660
JournaliScience
Volume26
Issue number5
DOIs
StatePublished - May 19 2023

Keywords

  • Cell biology
  • Immunology
  • Transcriptomics

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General

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