Resident CD34-Positive Cells Contribute to Peri-Endothelial Cells and Vascular Morphogenesis in Salivary Gland After Irradiation

The study investigated the role of resident CD34-positive cells in the regeneration of salivary glands (SG) after irradiation using a mouse model. It found that these cells increased in number post-irradiation, clustered around blood vessels, and differentiated into α-SMA-positive cells, contributing to the repair and regeneration of small blood vessels. The study concluded that CD34-positive cells could play a crucial role in new vessel formation and remodeling, potentially aiding in SG tissue healing after irradiation. These findings suggested that CD34-positive cells might mitigate radiation-induced damage in SGs, relevant for understanding radiotherapy side effects in head and neck cancer treatments. However, the exact mechanisms of their migration and differentiation remained largely unknown, indicating a need for further research.