Involvement of the IL-6/STAT3/Sca-1 system in proliferation of duct cells following duct ligation in the submandibular gland of mice

Ligation of the main excretory duct (MED) of the mouse submandibular gland (SMG) induced the expression of Sca-1, a stem cell marker. Sca-1 expression increased prominently in almost all of cells in the duct system, except the acinar cells. Sca-1 induction was accompanied with phosphorylated-STAT3 (Y705) elevation, which was localized in the nuclei of all duct cells. Electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA) confirmed the specific binding of STAT3 to the GAS sequence, a biding site of gamma interferon activating site. Present study suggested one of the initial steps of the tissue regeneration after injury includes STAT3 pathway.