Radiation Treatment of Organotypic Cultures from Submandibular and Parotid Salivary Glands Models Key In Vivo Characteristics

Using three-dimensional organotypic cultures to visualize morphology and functional markers of salivary glands may provide novel insights into the mechanisms of tissue damage following radiation. Described here is a protocol to section, culture, irradiate, stain, and image 50–90 μm thick salivary gland sections prior to and following exposure to ionizing radiation.