%0 Journal Article
%T The NF-κB pathway plays a vital role in rat salivary gland atrophy model.
%A Yang Y
%A Zi Y
%A Conglin D
%A Chunmei Z
%A Liang H
%A Songlin W
%J Heliyon
%V 9
%N 3
%D Mar 2023
%M 36950625
%F 3.776
%R 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e14288
%X <B>UNASSIGNED: </B>The aim of this study was to explore the histopathological and genetic changes in the submandibular glands after duct ligation and provide important clues to functional regeneration.<BR><B>UNASSIGNED: </B>We established a rat salivary gland duct ligation model and observed pathological changes in the rat submandibular gland on day 1 and weeks 1, 2, 3, and 4 using hematoxylin and eosin staining, Alcian blue-periodic acid Schiff staining, Masson staining, terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick-end labeling (TUNEL), and immunohistochemical staining. RNA sequencing was performed on normal salivary glands and those from the ligation model after 1 week. Significantly differentially expressed genes were selected, and Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analyses were performed.<BR><B>UNASSIGNED: </B>Apoptosis levels and histological and functional KEGG pathway analyses showed that injury to the salivary gland after ligation gradually increased. The TGF-β pathway was activated and promoted fibrosis. RNA sequencing results and further verification of samples at week 1 showed that the NF-κB pathway plays a vital role in salivary gland atrophy.<BR><B>UNASSIGNED: </B>Our results detailed the pathological changes in the submandibular gland after ligation and the important functions of the NF-κB pathway.