Pharmacological activation of the EDA/EDAR signaling pathway restores salivary gland function following radiation-induced damage

PLoS One. 2014 Nov 19;9(11):e112840. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0112840. eCollection 2014.

Abstract

Radiotherapy of head and neck cancers often results in collateral damage to adjacent salivary glands associated with clinically significant hyposalivation and xerostomia. Due to the reduced capacity of salivary glands to regenerate, hyposalivation is treated by substitution with artificial saliva, rather than through functional restoration of the glands. During embryogenesis, the ectodysplasin/ectodysplasin receptor (EDA/EDAR) signaling pathway is a critical element in the development and growth of salivary glands. We have assessed the effects of pharmacological activation of this pathway in a mouse model of radiation-induced salivary gland dysfunction. We report that post-irradiation administration of an EDAR-agonist monoclonal antibody (mAbEDAR1) normalizes function of radiation damaged adult salivary glands as determined by stimulated salivary flow rates. In addition, salivary gland structure and homeostasis is restored to pre-irradiation levels. These results suggest that transient activation of pathways involved in salivary gland development could facilitate regeneration and restoration of function following damage.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Amylases / metabolism
  • Animals
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal / immunology
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal / pharmacology*
  • Cell Proliferation / drug effects
  • Cell Proliferation / radiation effects
  • Ectodysplasins / metabolism*
  • Edar Receptor / immunology
  • Edar Receptor / metabolism*
  • Female
  • Head and Neck Neoplasms / radiotherapy
  • Mice
  • Recovery of Function / drug effects*
  • Recovery of Function / radiation effects
  • Saliva / drug effects
  • Saliva / metabolism
  • Saliva / radiation effects
  • Salivary Glands / cytology
  • Salivary Glands / drug effects
  • Salivary Glands / physiology*
  • Salivary Glands / radiation effects
  • Signal Transduction / drug effects*
  • Signal Transduction / radiation effects*
  • Time Factors
  • Vacuoles / drug effects
  • Vacuoles / radiation effects

Substances

  • Antibodies, Monoclonal
  • Ectodysplasins
  • Eda protein, mouse
  • Edar Receptor
  • Edar protein, mouse
  • Amylases