“…First, the epithelium of these organs can be easily accessed from the oral cavity in a non-invasive fashion, by introducing fine polyethylene tubing into the major excretory ducts (Wharton’s duct in the submandibular glands and Stensen’s duct in the parotid glands). This route, that has been utilized to selectively deliver various molecules into the ductal system, has been extensively characterized for both viral- and non viral-mediated gene transfer both in animals and in humans (Adriaansen et al, 2008; Adriaansen et al, 2011; Adriaansen et al, 2010; Baccaglini et al, 2001; Baum et al, 2006; Delporte et al, 1997; Gao et al, 2011; Goldfine et al, 1997; Honigman et al, 2001; Niedzinski et al, 2003a; Niedzinski et al, 2003b; Perez et al, 2011; Samuni et al, 2008; Xu et al, 2010; Zheng and Baum, 2011; Zheng and Baum, 2005; Zheng et al, 2011a; Zheng et al, 2006; Zheng et al, 2011b; Zheng et al, 2011c). Second, we have shown that salivary glands are ideal organs to perform intravital microscopy, which enables imaging various biological processes in live animals (Masedunskas et al, 2012; Masedunskas et al, 2011; Masedunskas and Weigert, 2008; Sramkova et al, 2009; Weigert et al, 2010).…”