Salivary Gland Fibroblasts (SGF)

The salivary glands in mammals are exocrine glands, glands with ducts, that produce saliva. They also secrete amylase, a digestive enzyme that breaks down starch into maltose and glucose. In humans and some other mammals the secretion is alpha-amylase also known as ptyalin. Mouse salivary gland fibroblasts (MSGF) are embryonic mesoderm derived mesenchymal cells and they are responsible for synthesis of extracellular matrix such as type I and/or type III collagen. MSGF are very versatile and provide a useful tool for studying collagenous fibroma and oral neoplasms.