Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 24, 2026
09:39
A Microfluidic Model of Biomimetically Breathing Pulmonary Acinar Airways
Published on: May 9, 2016
8.3K
Stable Acinar Progenitor Cell Model Identifies Treacle-Dependent Radioresistance
Thomas J Weber1, Wei-Jun Qian2, Jordan N Smith1
1a Health Impacts and Exposure Science Group, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, Washington 99352.
Radiation Research
|May 30, 2019
Summary
Salivary gland progenitor cells (c-Kit high) show inherent resistance to radiation, unlike their radiosensitive counterparts. This discovery offers a model to study stem cell protection and regeneration after radiotherapy.
Area of Science:
- Regenerative Medicine
- Radiation Biology
- Stem Cell Biology
Background:
- Radiotherapy for head and neck cancers often damages salivary glands, impairing quality of life.
- Salivary gland recovery is possible with lower radiation doses.
- Understanding stem cell radioresistance is key for tissue regeneration.
Purpose of the Study:
- To isolate and characterize radioresistant salivary gland progenitor cells.
- To investigate the molecular mechanisms underlying stem cell radiation resistance.
- To establish a model for studying stem cell protection in the salivary gland niche.
Main Methods:
- Isolation of c-Kit high (progenitor) and c-Kit low (radiosensitive) acinar cells from rat submaxillary glands.
- Assessment of cell radiosensitivity to X-ray radiation (up to 5 Gy).
- Analysis of phosphopeptides, including those homologous to treacle protein (TCOF1), and gene silencing (shRNA) to study TCOF1's role.
Main Results:
- c-Kit high cells demonstrated radioresistance (≤5 Gy), while c-Kit low cells were radiosensitive (killed by 2 Gy).
- Phosphopeptides homologous to treacle protein (TCOF1) were elevated in radioresistant progenitor cells.
- Silencing TCOF1 in progenitor cells increased their radiosensitivity, a phenomenon observed in human cells.
Conclusions:
- Radiation resistance is an intrinsic characteristic of c-Kit high salivary gland progenitor cells.
- TCOF1 plays a significant role in the radiation resistance of these progenitor cells.
- This study provides a model to explore c-Kit's role in salivary gland stem cell protection and niche stabilization.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
02:55Temperature Dependence on Reaction Rate
88.7K
The Collision Theory
Atoms, molecules, or ions must collide before they can react with each other. Atoms must be close together to form chemical bonds. This premise is the basis for a theory that explains many observations regarding chemical kinetics, including factors affecting reaction rates.
The collision theory is based on the postulates that (i) the reaction rate is proportional to the rate of reactant collisions, (ii) the reacting species collide in an orientation allowing contact between...
Atoms, molecules, or ions must collide before they can react with each other. Atoms must be close together to form chemical bonds. This premise is the basis for a theory that explains many observations regarding chemical kinetics, including factors affecting reaction rates.
The collision theory is based on the postulates that (i) the reaction rate is proportional to the rate of reactant collisions, (ii) the reacting species collide in an orientation allowing contact between...
88.7K
01:15Differentiation of Common Myeloid Progenitor Cells
4.0K
Common myeloid progenitors (CMPs) are oligopotent cells that can differentiate into granulocytes and macrophages. Granulocytes and macrophages are essential for protecting the body against bacterial, viral, or fungal infections. They migrate from the bone marrow into the circulating blood to reach specific tissue sites where they differentiate and help in immune surveillance. However, they survive only for a few days and must be continuously made available to the organism to maintain a robust...
4.0K
01:21Frequency-dependent Selection
23.3K
When the fitness of a trait is influenced by how common it is (i.e., its frequency) relative to different traits within a population, this is referred to as frequency-dependent selection. Frequency-dependent selection may occur between species or within a single species. This type of selection can either be positive—with more common phenotypes having higher fitness—or negative, with rarer phenotypes conferring increased fitness.
23.3K
01:19Contact-dependent Signaling
46.9K
Contact-dependent signaling, as the name suggests, requires that communicating cells be in direct contact with each other. This is achieved either through receptor-ligand interactions or by specialized cytoplasmic channels that allow the flow of small molecules between cells. In animal cells, channels called gap junctions facilitate contact-dependent signaling in certain tissues, whereas, plasmodesmata perform a similar function in plants.
Gap Junctions
In animal cells, gap junctions are formed...
Gap Junctions
In animal cells, gap junctions are formed...
46.9K
01:17Drug Dependence
1.6K
Medications are typically administered to achieve therapeutic effects. Some drugs can modify an individual's mood and perception, frequently resulting in various enjoyable experiences. However, this can result in drug dependency, a condition marked by continuous drug use despite potential negative consequences. Drug dependency primarily falls into two categories: psychological and physical dependence. Psychological dependence occurs when the pleasurable feelings induced by the drug...
1.6K
02:39The Integrated Rate Law: The Dependence of Concentration on Time
41.1K
While the differential rate law relates the rate and concentrations of reactants, a second form of rate law called the integrated rate law relates concentrations of reactants and time. Integrated rate laws can be used to determine the amount of reactant or product present after a period of time or to estimate the time required for a reaction to proceed to a certain extent. For example, an integrated rate law helps determine the length of time a radioactive material must be stored for its...
41.1K