FGFR2 is essential for salivary gland duct homeostasis and MAPK-dependent seromucous acinar cell differentiation

Exocrine acinar cells in salivary glands (SG) are critical for oral health and loss of functional acinar cells is a major clinical challenge. Fibroblast growth factor receptors (FGFR) are essential for early development of multiple organs, including SG. However, the role of FGFR signaling in specific populations later in development and during acinar differentiation are unknown. Here, we use scRNAseq and conditional deletion of murine FGFRs in vivo to identify essential roles for FGFRs in craniofacial, early SG development and progenitor function during duct homeostasis. Importantly, we also discover that FGFR2 via MAPK signaling is critical for seromucous acinar differentiation and secretory gene expression, while FGFR1 is dispensable. We show that FGF7, expressed by myoepithelial cells (MEC), activates the FGFR2-dependent seromucous transcriptional program. Here, we propose a model where MEC-derived FGF7 drives seromucous acinar differentiation, providing a rationale for targeting FGFR2 signaling in regenerative therapies to restore acinar function. Restoring salivary acinar cells after gland damage is a major clinical challenge. Here, authors identify FGF7-FGFR2-MAPK signaling as a regenerative target, critical for myoepithelial-acinar crosstalk that regulates seromucous acinar differentiation.

Automated summary

The study reveals the crucial role of FGFR2 in salivary gland development and differentiation, specifically in seromucous acinar cells. Additionally, the findings suggest that MEC-derived FGF7 activates FGFR2 signaling to drive acinar differentiation.