Technique Improvement and Experience Sharing of Cannulation of the Mouse Submandibular Salivary Gland via the Wharton's Duct

Abstract

Patients with severe salivary gland dysfunction is common due to Sjogrens syndrome or radiotherapy because of head and neck cancer. These patients often have dry mouth, taste loss, severe tooth decay, pain, inflammation of the oral mucosa. Nowadays, as the biological sciences development, a variety of new treatments continue to emerge. Wherein the gene therapy has become a research hotspot. This Technique provides a convenient method for animal experiments and clinical gene therapy. Using viral vectors transfecting subm-andibular–salivary gland to expresse hEPOS, hGH, etc[1] provide a broader space for this technique. Positive preclinical gene therapy results have been shown in models of salivary gland diseases such as Sjögrens Syndrome and in acquired conditions such as xerostomia secondary to ionizing radiation of the head and neck. In the overall context of increasing evidence from human clinical trials that gene therapy is safe and effective, including a first-in-man trial involving salivary gland gene transfer (ClinicalTrials.gov number NCT00372320), therapeutic gene transfer to the human salivary gland appears to be close to becoming a practicable reality. I have engaged in this field for nearly a year and have made some technology improvements. Here I want to share my experience.