Possible Existence of a Salivary Gland-Oral Mucosa/Gingiva Axis Under Challenges by Endotoxins

In the submandibular salivary gland (SMG), endotoxins have been shown to induce inflammation cytokines and inflammatory proteins such as interleukin-1β (IL-1β), IL-6, tumor necrosis factor–α,(TNF-α), and calprotectin. Among them, the salivary gland inflammatory protein, calprotectin, is localized in the cytoplasm of the gland cells upon challenges made by endotoxins, and is not secreted into saliva, suggesting its protective