Abstract: PURPOSE: To detect whether human salivary gland epithelial cells (SGECs) can uptake exosomes derived from adenoid cystic carcinoma cell ACC-2. METHODS: Human normal SGECs were primarily cultured by explant out growth technique and identified by immunocytochemistry. The exosomes derived from ACC-2 were labeled with green fluorescent dye PKH67 and co-cultured with SGECs for 48h, which were then stained with Alexa Fluor 594 Phalloidin and DAPI. Afterwards, exsosomes absorption was observed under a laser scanning confocal microscope (LSCM). RESULTS: Primarily cultured normal human SGECs exhibited strong cytokeratin expression but absence of staining for α-MSA, indicating the lack of myoepithelial cells in the culture system; after 48 h of incubation, multiple green vesicles could be seen docked on SGECs and most diffuse PKH67 signals were concentrated in the cytoplasm. Moreover, the uptake of exosomes was highly efficient as all SGECs were positive for stained exosomes. CONCLUSIONS: Normal human SGECs could uptake ACC-2 derived-exosomes, indicating that SGECs might be a kind of recipient cells of ACC-2 derived- exosomes.

Key words: Adenoid cystic carcinoma, Exosomes, Salivary gland epithelial cells