Promoting Polarization and Differentiation of Primary Human Salivary Gland Stem/Progenitor Cells in Protease-Degradable Hydrogels via ROCK Inhibition

Toward the goal of in vitro engineering of functional salivary gland tissues, we cultured primary human salivary stem/progenitor cells (hS/PCs) in hyaluronic acid-based matrices with varying percentages of proteolytically degradable crosslinks in the presence of Rho kinase (ROCK) inhibitor. Single cells encapsulated in the hydrogel grew into organized multicellular structures by day 15, and over 60% of the structures developed in the nondegradable and 50% degradable hydrogels contained a central lumen. Importantly, ROCK inhibition led to the establishment of multicellular structures that were correctly polarized, as evidenced by apical localization of a Golgi marker GM130, apical/lateral localization of tight junction protein zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1), and basal localization of integrin β1 and basement membrane proteins laminin α1 and collagen IV. Cultures maintained in 50% degradable gels with ROCK inhibition exhibited an increased expression of acinar markers aquaporin 5 ( AQP5, AQP5) and sodium–potassium–chloride cotransporter 1 ( SLC12A2, NKCC1) at the transcript and the protein levels, respectively, as compared to those without ROCK inhibition. Upon stimulation with isoproterenol, α-amylase secretion into the lumen was observed. Particle-tracking microrheology was employed to analyze the stiffness of cells using mitochondria as the passive tracer particles. Our results indicated that cells grown in 100% degradable gels were stiffer than those maintained in nondegradable gels, and cells cultured with the ROCK inhibitor were softer than those maintained without the inhibitor. We conclude that reducing cellular contractility via ROCK inhibition while retaining some degree of matrix confinement promotes the establishment of multicellular structures containing pro-acinar cells with correct apicobasal polarization.