Understanding how salivary glands can regenerate

Defining mechanisms driving salivary gland regeneration

['FUNDING_OTHER'] · UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SAN FRANCISCO · NIH-10878841

This study is looking at how salivary glands can heal themselves, especially for people dealing with issues like aging or autoimmune diseases, to find out how certain cells and nerves help keep these glands working well, which could lead to new treatments for better saliva production.

Quick facts

Phase['FUNDING_OTHER']
Study typeNih_funding
SexAll
SponsorUNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SAN FRANCISCO (nih funded)
Locations1 site (SAN FRANCISCO, UNITED STATES)
Trial IDNIH-10878841 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this research studies

This research investigates the mechanisms behind the regeneration of salivary glands, which are crucial for oral health and are often affected by chronic diseases like aging and autoimmunity. The team aims to identify the stem cells involved in this process and how they are regulated, particularly focusing on the role of nerves in maintaining gland function. By using advanced techniques in mice and human tissues, they will explore how these stem cells contribute to organ renewal and how factors like aging influence their effectiveness. The findings could lead to new therapies for restoring salivary gland function.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research include individuals experiencing salivary gland issues related to aging, autoimmune diseases, or cancer.

Not a fit: Patients with healthy salivary glands and no chronic conditions affecting them may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to innovative treatments for patients suffering from salivary gland dysfunction due to chronic diseases.

How similar studies have performed: Other research has shown promise in stem cell therapies for organ regeneration, suggesting potential success for this approach.

Where this research is happening

SAN FRANCISCO, UNITED STATES

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.

View on NIH RePORTER →

Conditions: Cancers

Last reviewed 2026-05-15 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.