Related Experiment Videos
Tissue engineering of teeth using adult stem cells
Sonie A C Modino1, Paul T Sharpe
1Department of Craniofacial Development and Odontis Ltd., Dental Institute, Kings College London, Floor 28 Guy's Tower, Guy's Hospital, London Bridge, London, SE1 9RT, UK.
Archives of Oral Biology
|February 22, 2005
Summary
Scientists engineered teeth using adult stem cells and embryonic oral epithelium, demonstrating successful tooth development and potential for regenerative dentistry. This research offers new possibilities for dental tissue engineering and tooth replacement therapies.
Area of Science:
- Developmental biology
- Stem cell biology
- Regenerative medicine
Background:
- Tooth development (odontogenesis) relies on intricate signaling between embryonic oral epithelium and mesenchyme.
- Understanding these signaling pathways is crucial for advancing dental tissue engineering.
Purpose of the Study:
- To engineer a tooth in vitro using adult stem cells and embryonic oral epithelium.
- To investigate the potential of adult non-dental cells in tooth formation.
- To assess the viability of implanting developing tooth germs in vivo.
Main Methods:
- Recombinant explants were created by combining embryonic oral epithelium with aggregates of embryonic or adult stem cells (including adult bone marrow cells).
- Explants were cultured in vitro and in vivo to assess gene expression and tissue formation.
- E14.5 molar rudiments were implanted into the maxilla of adult mice to evaluate in vivo growth.
Main Results:
- In vitro culture induced early tooth marker genes in cell aggregates, confirming response to odontogenic signals.
- In vivo culture led to the induction of dentin sialophosphoprotein (Dspp), indicating tooth tissue formation.
- Three explants using adult bone marrow cells successfully developed teeth.
- Implanted molar rudiments grew normally and integrated with host bone.
Conclusions:
- Odontogenesis can be induced and teeth engineered using adult cells of non-dental origin.
- Developing tooth germs can be successfully implanted into the oral cavity for potential therapeutic use.
- This research paves the way for novel regenerative approaches in dentistry.