Takayoshi Sakai

We recently showed that mouse semaphorin H (MSH), a secreted semaphorin molecule, acts as a chemorepulsive factor on sensory neurites. In this study, we found for the first time that MSH induces neurite outgrowth in PC12 cells in a dose-dependent manner. Comparison of Ras-mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathways between MSH and nerve growth factor (NGF) revealed that these pathways are crucial for MSH action as well as NGF. K-252a, an inhibitor of tyrosine autophosphorylation o

This report describes our initial attempt to regenerate salivary glands using induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells in vivo and in vitro. Glandular tissues that were similar to the adult submandibular glands (SMGs) and sublingual glands could be partially produced by the transplantation of iPS cells into mouse salivary glands. However, the tumorigenicity of iPS cells has not been resolved yet. It is well known that stem cells affect their microenvironment, known as a stem cell niche. We focused o

The novel, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) was firstly reported in late December of 2019 and subsequently caused a global outbreak. It has been shown that SARS-CoV-2 uses ACE2 (Angiotensin Converting Enzyme 2) as a cellular receptor for host cell entry through the surface unit of SARS-CoV spike glycoprotein. In this brief report, we analyze ACE2 protein expression and localization in human salivary gland, and propose a possible role of saliva in the pathogenesis of Cor

Sialolipoma is a new variant of salivary gland lipoma, which was first proposed by Nagao et al. (Histopathology 2001; 38: 30) in 2001. We report this rare case of sialolipoma in the hard palate. A 60-year-old Japanese woman was referred to our department complaining of a painless swelling on the right side of the hard palate. Intra-oral examination revealed a soft, elastic, dome-shaped mass with 1 cm in diameter located in the posterior part of the hard palate. Magnetic resonance imaging examina

This unit provides detailed protocols for dissecting embryonic organs and performing organ culture to study questions in developmental biology. Procedures are described here for dissecting organs such as kidney, lung, and salivary gland. The unit also contains commentary including troubleshooting for embryonic organ culture.

Many organs such as the salivary glands, kidney and lung form multiple epithelial clefts during the process of branching morphogenesis in embryonic development. The salivary gland provides an excellent model for clarifying the mechanism of this phenomenon. Extracellular matrix molecules regulate the dynamics of this complex process of organ formation. Nevertheless, the mechanism of cleft formation is poorly understood. Here we describe that a combination of laser microdissection with T7-SAGE has

The Saxon test is useful not only for patients with SS but also for patients without SS.

Cleft palate results from a mixture of genetic and environmental factors and occurs when the bilateral palatal shelves fail to fuse. The objective of this study was to search for new genes involved in mouse palate formation. Gene expression of murine embryonic palatal tissue was analyzed at various developmental stages before, during, and after palate fusion using GeneChip® microarrays. Ceacam1 was one of the highly up-regulated genes during palate formation, and this was confirmed by quantitati

The mouse granular convoluted tubules (GCTs), which are only located in the submandibular gland (SMG) are known to develop and maintain their structure in an androgen-dependent manner. We previously demonstrated that the GCTs are involuted by the epithelial deletion of core binding factor β (CBFβ), a transcription factor that physically interacts with any of the Runt-related transcription factor (RUNX) proteins (RUNX1, 2 and 3). This result clearly demonstrates that the Runx /Cbfb signaling path

Abstract Salivary gland hypofunction, also termed as xerostomia, is caused by radiation therapy for head and neck cancer or Sjögren's syndrome, leading to a detrimental impact on oral health and quality of life. This review describes current studies on salivary gland development and the translational approaches of basic science to treating patients with dysfunction and hypofunction of the salivary gland. Here, we review the most recent studies that have offered better insight into the mechanisms

Development of the salivary gland is characterized by extensive branching morphogenesis. Although various molecules have been implicated in salivary gland development, the role of the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signalling pathway, including both mTOR complexes 1 and 2 (mTORC1 and 2), in salivary gland development is unknown. Here, we examined protein expression levels related to the mTOR signalling pathway using an ex vivo submandibular salivary gland (SMG) organ culture. We showed tha

The transcription factor p63, a component of the p53 family, has important functions in development, homeostasis, and regeneration of epithelial tissues. However, the role of p63 in the regeneration of exocrine glands, including the salivary glands (SGs), has not been fully investigated. We investigated p63 expression in SG regeneration induced by duct ligation and irradiation. The expression of ΔNp63, a p63 isoform, increased and was colocalized with keratin 5 positive cells were myoepithelial