© Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd. 2017 135
T. Tsuji (ed.), Organ Regeneration Based on Developmental Biology,
DOI 10.1007/978-981-10-3768-9_8
Chapter 8
Functional Lacrimal Gland Regeneration
Masatoshi Hirayama, Kazuo Tsubota, and Takashi Tsuji
Abstract The lacrimal gland is an indispensable organ to secrete tear for maintain-
ing a homeostatic microenvironment for healthy ocular surfaces. The lacrimal gland
develops from its organ germ at ocular epithelium via epithelial and mesenchymal
interactions into mature secretory gland structure, which consists of acini, ducts,
myoepithelial cells, and peripheral tissues such as nerves. Dysfunction of the lacri-
mal gland leads to dry eye disease, which is one of the prevalent eye disorders
involving ocular discomfort, significant visual disturbances, and a reduced quality of
life. Current clinical therapies for dry eye disease are artificial tear eye drops, but
they are transient and palliative approach. To restore functions of the lacrimal gland,
lacrimal tissue stem cells have been identified for regenerative therapeutic
approaches. Fully functional organ replacement such as for tooth and hair follicles
has also been developed as a novel three-dimensional organ regeneration using stem
cell manipulation—named the organ germ method. Recently, we successfully dem-
onstrated fully functional bioengineered lacrimal gland replacements after trans-
planting a bioengineered organ germ. This study was a significant advance in
possible lacrimal gland organ replacement as a next-generation regenerative therapy
for dry eye disease. In this review, we summarize recent progress in lacrimal regen-
eration research and the development of bioengineered lacrimal gland organ replace-
ment therapy.
Keywords Bioengineered lacrimal gland • Organ germ method • Cell manipulation
- Transplantation • Lacrimal gland germ • Lacrimal glands • Tear • Dry eye disease
- Regenerative medicine • Organ regeneration
M. Hirayama • K. Tsubota
Department of Ophthalmology, Keio University School of Medicine,
Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 160-8582, Japan
T. Tsuji (*)
Laboratory for Organ Regeneration, RIKEN Center for Developmental Biology,
2-2-3, Minatojima-mimamimschi, Chuo-ku, Kobe, Hyogo 650-0047, Japan
e-mail: [email protected]