Microchimerism in salivary glands after blood- and marrow-derived stem cell transplantation

Biol Blood Marrow Transplant. 2011 Mar;17(3):429-33. doi: 10.1016/j.bbmt.2010.09.021. Epub 2010 Dec 4.

Abstract

Blood- and marrow-derived stem cells (BMDSCs) provide disease-ameliorating effects for cardiovascular and autoimmune diseases. Microchimerism from donor BMDSCs has been reported in several recipient tissues. We hypothesized that this finding suggests a potential use of BMDSCs in the treatment of salivary dysfunctions. We investigated the presence of Y chromosome-positive cells in salivary gland biopsies of 5 females who had received a marrow or blood stem cell transplant from male donors. One to 16 years after transplantation, all recipients exhibited scattered Y chromosome-positive cells in the acini, ducts, and stroma of their salivary glands (mean of 1.01%). Potentially, these cells can be markers of transplantation tolerance, contribute to neoplastic epithelial tissues, or engraft at sites of injury. In addition, transplantation of BMDSCs could be used for treatment of Sjögren's syndrome and salivary glands damaged by therapeutic irradiation for cancers of the head and neck.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Intramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Biomarkers / metabolism
  • Biopsy
  • Bone Marrow Transplantation*
  • Chimerism*
  • Chromosomes, Human, Y / metabolism
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation*
  • Humans
  • In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence
  • Middle Aged
  • Peripheral Blood Stem Cell Transplantation*
  • Salivary Ducts / cytology
  • Salivary Ducts / metabolism
  • Salivary Gland Diseases / therapy
  • Salivary Glands / cytology
  • Salivary Glands / metabolism*
  • Stromal Cells / cytology
  • Stromal Cells / metabolism

Substances

  • Biomarkers