A cell extract from whole bone marrow (BM), which we named "BM Soup," has the property to restore saliva secretion to irradiation (IR)-injured salivary glands (SGs). However, BM cell harvesting remains an invasive procedure for the donor. The main objective of this study was to test the therapeutic effect of "Cell Soups" obtained from alternate tissues, such as adipose-derived stromal cells (ADSCs) and spleen cells to repair SGs. BM Soup, Spleen Soup, ADSC Soup, or saline (vehicle control) was injected intravenously into mice with IR-injured SGs (13Gy). Results demonstrated that all three cell soups restored 65-70% of saliva secretion, protected acinar cells, blood vessels, and parasympathetic nerves, and increased cell proliferation. Although protein array assays identified more angiogenesis-related growth factors in ADSC Soup, the length of its therapeutic efficiency on saliva flow was less than that of the BM Soup and Spleen Soup. Another objective of this study was to compare "Fresh" versus "Cryopreserved (-80 °C)" BM Soup. It was found that the therapeutic effect of 12-month "Cryopreserved BM Soup" was comparable to that of "Fresh BM Soup" on the functional restoration of IR-injured SGs. In conclusion, both Spleen Soup and ADSC Soup can be used to mitigate IR-damaged SGs.
Keywords: adipose-derived stromal cells; bone marrow; cell extract; head and neck cancer; irradiation; salivary glands; spleen cells.
Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.