Abstract: Objective: To culture submandibular gland cells of rats in vitro and study its biological characteristics so as to provide a cell model for salivary gland disease research. Methods: The bilateral submandibular glands were obtained from Wistar rats of 7 days old in a sterile condition. Fat, capsule, nerve and blood vessel were carefully removed, followed by tissue-explant culturing. The cells were purified by enzymatic digestion and differential adhesion. The cell phenotype was immunohistochemically identified by cytokeratin-8 (CK-8) and α-Amylase staining, and hepatin secreting ability of the cells was tested by PAS staining. Ultramicroscopic features of the cells was observed under the scanning electronic microscopy (SEM). Results: Submandibular gland cells were successfully obtained by tissue-explant culturing. The cells gained were positively stained for both CK-8 and α-Amylase. The cytoplasm manifested as purple red in PAS staining. Under SEM, cells had different lengths of pseudopodia and the nucleues were darker-stained; in some cells secretory granules were visible. Conclusion: Rat submandibular gland cells can be successfully cultured by the uncomplicated tissue-explant technique.

Key words: Submandibular gland cell, Primary culture, Tissue-explant technique, Scanning electronic microscopy