Title:Chronic Inflammation in the Pancreas and Salivary Glands - Lessons from Similarities and Differences in Pathophysiology and Treatment Modalities
Volume: 20
Issue: 7
Author(s): Zoltan Rakonczay Jr, Janos Vag, Anna Foldes, Krisztina Nagy, Akos Nagy, Peter Hegyi and Gabor Varga
Affiliation:
Keywords:
Pancreas, salivary gland, inflammation, chronic, development, fibrosis epithelium, mesenchyme, fibrosis, atrophy, stem cell,
progenitor, tissue engineering, chronic pancreatitis, artificial gland, autoimmune pancreatitis, Sjögren’s syndrome, radiation therapy, head and
neck cancer.
Abstract: The pancreas and salivary glands have similar anatomical structures and physiological functions producing bicarbonate-rich
fluid containing digestive enzymes and other components to be delivered into the gut. Despite these similarities, the two organs are also
different in numerous respects, especially regarding the inflammatory diseases affecting them. This article will summarize the pathophysiology
and current and potential pharmacological treatments of chronic inflammatory diseases such as chronic pancreatitis, autoimmune
pancreatitis, Sjögren's syndrome and irradiation-induced salivary gland atrophy. Despite the differences, in both organs the inflammatory
process is accompanied by epithelial tissue destruction and fibrosis. Both in pancreatic and in salivary research, an important
task is to stop or even reverse this process. The utilization of stem/progenitor cell populations previously identified in these organs and
the application of mesenchymal stem cells are very promising for such regenerative purposes. In addition, gene therapy and tissue engineering
research progressively advance and have already yielded clinically beneficial preliminary results for salivary gland diseases. For
the hard-to-access, hard-to-regenerate pancreas these developments may also offer new solutions, especially since salivary and pancreatic
progenitors are very similar in characteristics and may be mutually useful to regenerate the respective other organ as well. These novel
developments could be of great significance and may bring new hope for patients since currently used therapeutic protocols in salivary
and in pancreatic chronic inflammatory diseases offer primarily symptomatic treatments and limited beneficial outcome.