Salivary gland bioengineering- yesterday, today, tomorrow!

Salivary glands are specialized structures developed as an extensively compact, arborized design through classical embryogenesis, accompanied by a cascade of events channelized by numerous growth factors and genetic regulatory pathways. Salivary secretions maintain oral homeostasis and, when diminished in certain conditions, present as xerostomia or salivary hypofunction, adversely impacting the patient's quality of life. The current available treatments primarily aim at tackling the immediate symptoms providing temporary relief to the patient. Despite scientific efforts to develop permanent and effective solutions to restore salivation, a significant permanent treatment is yet to be established. Tissue engineering has proven as a promising remedial tool in several diseases, as well as in xerostomia, and aims to restore partial loss of organ function. Recapitulating the physiological cellular microenvironment to in vitro culture conditions is constantly evolving. Replicating the dynamic multicellular interactions, genetic pathways, and cytomorphogenic forces, as displayed during salivary gland development have experienced considerable barriers. Through this review, we endeavour to provide an outlook on the evolution of in vitro salivary gland research, highlighting the key bioengineering advances and the challenges faced with the current therapeutic strategies for salivary hypofunction, with an insight into our team's scientific contributions.

Automated summary

Salivary glands are specialized structures that develop through embryogenesis, guided by growth factors and genetic pathways. Reduction in salivary secretions can lead to xerostomia or salivary hypofunction, adversely affecting the patient's quality of life. Current treatments focus on providing temporary relief, but permanent solutions are still lacking. Tissue engineering shows potential in restoring organ function, including in xerostomia, but faces challenges in replicating complex cellular interactions and genetic pathways. This review provides an overview of in vitro salivary gland research, highlighting bioengineering advances and current therapeutic strategies for salivary hypofunction.