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Review
. 2023 Feb 3:14:1061235.
doi: 10.3389/fendo.2023.1061235. eCollection 2023.

Progress in salivary glands: Endocrine glands with immune functions

Yu Feng Shang  1 , Yi Yang Shen  1 , Meng Chen Zhang  2 , Min Chao Lv  3 , Tong Ying Wang  2   4 , Xue Qun Chen  2   4 , Jun Lin  1
Affiliations
Review

Progress in salivary glands: Endocrine glands with immune functions

Yu Feng Shang et al. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne). .

Abstract

The production and secretion of saliva is an essential function of the salivary glands. Saliva is a complicated liquid with different functions, including moistening, digestion, mineralization, lubrication, and mucosal protection. This review focuses on the mechanism and neural regulation of salivary secretion, and saliva is secreted in response to various stimuli, including odor, taste, vision, and mastication. The chemical and physical properties of saliva change dynamically during physiological and pathophysiological processes. Moreover, the central nervous system modulates salivary secretion and function via various neurotransmitters and neuroreceptors. Smell, vision, and taste have been investigated for the connection between salivation and brain function. The immune and endocrine functions of the salivary glands have been explored recently. Salivary glands play an essential role in innate and adaptive immunity and protection. Various immune cells such as B cells, T cells, macrophages, and dendritic cells, as well as immunoglobins like IgA and IgG have been found in salivary glands. Evidence supports the synthesis of corticosterone, testosterone, and melatonin in salivary glands. Saliva contains many potential biomarkers derived from epithelial cells, gingival crevicular fluid, and serum. High level of matrix metalloproteinases and cytokines are potential markers for oral carcinoma, infectious disease in the oral cavity, and systemic disease. Further research is required to monitor and predict potential salivary biomarkers for health and disease in clinical practice and precision medicine.

Keywords: endocrine gland; immune function; neuroendocrine; saliva; salivary gland.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Schematic graph of anatomy, histology, and cell types for the salivary glands and the neurocircuits of saliva secretion.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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