Salvary gland stem cells: a review

Stem cell (SC) therapy has a promising future for tissue regenerative medicine. SCs have drawn attention in recent years because of their accessibility, plasticity, and high proliferative ability. SC and Progenitor cells have the ability to rescue and repair injured tissue and partially restore organ function. SCs or progenitor cells are class of undifferentiated cells that are able to differentiate into specialized cell types. They are capable of renewal, differentiation into all lineage of an organ and useful in regenerating tissues. Salivary gland stem cells (SGSC) are characterized by their potential for self-renewal and differentiation. They can replenish damaged cells. SGSC have been identified in many tissues within mouse and human. This substantial progress in understanding salivary gland (SG) functioning and recent identification of SC and progenitor cell population in SG provides basis for studies towards development of a SC based therapy for xerostomia.