목적: Adipose-derived stem cells (ASC) administered into radiation-damaged salivary glands (SG) have been known to contribute to SG tissue repair/regeneration. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether locally transplanted ASC within small intestinal submucous (SIS) gel could participate in restoration of SG hypofunction after radiotherapy with long-term engraftment. 방법:Human ASC-seeded SIS gel was prepared and injected into the SGs of mice after local irradiation (IR). Survival of transplanted ASC was tracked by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) analysis for Y-chromosome-specific sequences. Gross morphological and structural changes were evaluated at 8 and 16 weeks after treatment in each experimental group: sham, PBS, SIS, ASC, and ASC/SIS group. Functional studies of measurement of salivation salivary protein contents were performed. In vivo mode of actions of ASC including paracrine effect was also explored. 결과:Local injection with the ASC and ASC/SIS resulted in less fibrosis and acinar cell loss than the PBS group. Functional restorations such as increased salivation capacity and levels of salivary proteins relative to the PBS and SIS group were also observed. The microscopically improved tissue remodeling of salivary epithelial (AQP-5), endothelial (CD31), myoepithelial (α-SMA) and SG progenitor cells (c-Kit) were noted in the ASC/SIS group. The ASC within SIS showed prolonged survival relative to the ASC group and most engrafted cells were found in acinductal structures with expression of paracrine mediators such as VEGF and FGFs. 결론:These results show that ASC-seeded SIS may participate in tissue remodeling following radiation damage by releasing paracrine mediators into radiation-inflicted surrounding SG tissues.