# The Role of SOX10 in Stemness of KIT+ Cells and Repairing Irradiated Salivary Glands

> **NIH NIH F30** · UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN AT ANN ARBOR · 2021 · $51,836

## Abstract

ABSTRACT
Each year, over half a million head and neck cancer patients are treated with radiotherapy, which results in the
severe dry mouth syndrome, xerostomia, due to co-radiation of healthy salivary glands. Poor quality of life in
such patients is a result of conditions associated with xerostomia such as hyposalivation, dental caries, fungal
infections, decaying teeth, and taste and masticatory dysfunctions. Current therapies to rescue hyposalivation
provide temporary relief and are largely ineffective; thus, new therapies for permanent tissue repair are
needed. Our lab has deep expertise in cutting-edge salivary glands stem cell research, and was the first to
demonstrate the clinical potential of KIT+ (c-Kit, CD117) stem/progenitor cells in rescuing hyposalivation.
However, this population of stem/progenitor cells decreases with age, currently compromising our ability to
efficiently use these cells for therapy. Our current work shows that transcription factor SOX10 plays a major
role in the proliferation and differentiation potential of KIT+ cells. For example, epithelial depletion of Sox10
results in loss of KIT+ and pro-acinar cells in the fetal stages. However, it is unclear whether SOX10 is
required for expansion and multi-potency, i.e. the ability to differentiate into all epithelial cell types, of KIT+ cells
through adulthood. Based on existing evidence, we hypothesize that SOX10 plays a central role in the
expansion and differentiation of all KIT+ cells. To test this hypothesis, we will lineage trace epithelial
KIT+SOX10+ cells in the submandibular gland using inducible mouse systems. We will also assess forced
overexpression of SOX10 to expand KIT+ cells. Overall, these studies will elucidate whether SOX10 marks
multi-potent KIT+ stem cells, and can be applied to expand KIT+ stem cells. The scientific ideas proposed here
will expand our knowledge of salivary gland stem cells, and will significantly improve future hyposalivation
rescue stem cell-based therapies.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10060741
- **Project number:** 5F30DE027605-04
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN AT ANN ARBOR
- **Principal Investigator:** Harleen Athwal
- **Activity code:** F30 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $51,836
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2017-12-01 → 2023-11-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10060741

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10060741, The Role of SOX10 in Stemness of KIT+ Cells and Repairing Irradiated Salivary Glands (5F30DE027605-04). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-22 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10060741. Licensed CC0.

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