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Expression of transgenes from adenoviral vectors is short-lived in salivary glands, in part because of immune responses to the virus and/or transgene product. Previous studies demonstrated that depletion of macrophages with multilamellar liposomes containing clodronate (Cl2MBP) increases adenoviral-mediated trans- gene expression in the liver. This technique was tested in salivary glands. Rats were treated with Cl2MBP-liposomes or control liposomes by femoral vein, intra- peritoneal, or carotid artery injections. Thereafter, a recombinant adenovirus, AdCMVluciferase, was instilled intraductally in submandibular glands (SMGs), or delivered to the liver via femoral vein injection. Marked depletion (>94%) of liver maorophages and increased levels of luciferase activity in the Liver (45-fold higher than controls) were present in animals receiving Cl2MBP-liposomes. In contrast, the same treatment never depleted more than 41% of SMG macrophages nor increased luciferase activity in SMGs, regardless of the route of administration. In conclusion, while macrophage depletion with Cl2MBP-liposomes is associated with markedly increased adanoviral-mediated transgene expression, this strategy was ineffective for salivary glands. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An epithelial cell line, RSMT[SUBx], has been established from the submandibular gland of weanling Fisher 344 rats by treatment of explanted tissue clumps with 3-methylocholanthrene. These cells exhibit a polygonal shape on light microscopy and a polar appearance, with desmosomes, terminal bar-like structures, surface microvilli and cytoplasmic interdigitations, when examined by electron microscopy. The cells react positively with an antiserum to cytoskeletal keratin, and a commercial monoclonal antibody to an "epithelial membrane antigen," An antiserum, prepared against early passage cells in hamsters, reacts primarily with ductal elements in tissue sections of submandibular gland, as does an antiserum prepared in mice with late passage cells. The cells are easily passaged and have been maintained for more than two years in continuous culture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Parotid and submandibular gland function were evaluated in 12 HIV-1 antibody-positive men at two visits separated by a median interval of 14.5 months (range 6-22 months). Unstimulated and stimulated flow rates, and the concentrations of total protein, lysozyme, albumin and lactoferrin in these secretions, were determined. Parotid and submandibular gland secretions changed in a specific fashion with time. Lysozyme levels in both glandular stimulated secretions showed significant changes (approximately 40% and 70% elevated, between visits, in parotid and submandibular saliva, respectively). In addition, the frequency with which albumin was detected in unstimulated parotid secretions increased with time. These findings support earlier results suggesting the presence of alterations in major salivary gland function following HIV-1 infection. Submandibular gland function appears to manifest these alterations earlier, but with time the parotid secretions show similar changes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]