Cultivation of primary cell cultures and isolation of stem cell-like cells from benign human salivary gland tumors

Introduction In contrast to Warthins tumors (WT), pleomorphic adenomas (PA) have a high recurrence potential. An explanatory model for this lies in the existence of tumor stem cells in PA with the potential of self-renewal and differentiation. In vitro, these cells show a spherical formation. The aim of this study was to establish primary cell cultures (PCC) as an in vitro model for follow-up examinations and to analyze to what extent spheroidal cells are present in PA and WT as well as control tissues.

Methods Samples of PA (n = 8), WT (n = 8) and normal tissue (N) (n = 3) were obtained intraoperatively from 19 patients (21 % male, median age: 61 years) to isolate stem cells and to win primary cell cultures. Development and growth were observed over a period of up to 125 days after sample processing.

Results PCC grew from 7 (87.5 %) WT, 8 (100 %) PA and 0 (0 %) N. The mean time to culture growth was 29 days and showed no difference between PA and WT. Overall, 12 (63.2 %) samples were formed spheres. 7 (87.5 %) of WT formed stage 2 spheres and 4 (50 %) of PA formed stage 3 spheres. The mean time to spheroid formation was 19.82 days (± 28.6 days) with no difference between PA, WT and N.

Conclusions It is possible to grow PCC from PA and WT compared to N. In addition, the formation of spheres suggests that PA, WT, and N contain stem cells. The formation of spheroids stage 3 in the PA indicates that they may have highly potent cell properties. In benign salivary gland tumors these cells could be responsible for the development of recurrence of PA compared to WT.

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Publication History

Article published online:
10 June 2020