Construction of functional glandular structures using tree-dimensional culture in mouse lacrimal gland

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Mouse lacrimal gland epithelial cells were cultured in several three-dimensional conditions, but it was difficult to induce ductal structure. Then we cultured them in air-lift conditions. The epithelial cells differentiated to form epithelial tissues similar to cornea, conjunctiva and skin. We then analyzed the effects of EGF and HGF, these are paracrine factors secreted by lacrimal gland epithelial cells, in combination with their specific inhibitors and proved that EGF and HGF worked synergistically for cell proliferation and suppression of cell death in the development of lacrimal glands. These results of our experiments would provide clues for in vitro reorganization of functional glands from cultured cells for therapeutic purposes.