Postirradiated submandibular gland: a potential model to study salivary gland radioprotection and tumourigenesis

Theoretical reserve cells located in the intercalated and excretory ducts are postulated to be responsible for salivary gland tumourigenesis, with acinar cells playing no role in this process. Animal models, one using low-dose radiation to rat submandibular glands, indicate that this hypothesis is incorrect. Few human models have been devised to demonstrate and verify this theory. Submandibular glands in the field of ionizing radiation, as external-beam radiotherapy for head and neck tumours, were examined using an immunocytochemical technique and an antibody to proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), a specific marker for cycling cells. In the nonirradiated gland, nuclei positive for PCNA were seen in acinar as well as ductal cells of all types. Six months post irradiation, human submandibular glands show increased proliferative rates in both ductal and acinar cells that are significantly greater than control glands (p = .012). Based on this regenerative capacity, postirradiated human submandibular glands might serve as a model to investigate various treatment modalities for the prevention of radiation damage to acinar cells and the consequent patient morbidity that develops due to xerostomia. As well, these results suggest that even in humans, acinar cells are potential targets for carcinogenic agents and that current histogenic concepts for salivary gland tumourigenesis are incorrect.