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Updated: Jun 13, 2026
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Establishing Organoids from Human Tooth as a Powerful Tool Toward Mechanistic Research and Regenerative Therapy
Published on: April 13, 2022
SHED differentiate into functional odontoblasts and endothelium
1Department of Pediatric Dentistry, Orthodontics and Community Health, Bauru School of Dentistry, University of São Paulo, Brazil.
Journal of Dental Research
|April 17, 2010
Summary
Stem cells from exfoliated deciduous teeth (SHED) can transform into odontoblasts, forming dentin, and also into vascular endothelial cells. This discovery advances dental tissue engineering and understanding of tooth development.
Area of Science:
- Dental Biology
- Stem Cell Research
- Tissue Engineering
Background:
- Understanding dental pulp stem cell differentiation is crucial for odontogenesis and dental tissue engineering.
- Stem cells from exfoliated deciduous teeth (SHED) are a promising source for regenerative therapies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the differentiation potential of SHED into functional odontoblasts and endothelial cells.
- To explore the role of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in SHED differentiation.
Main Methods:
- SHED were cultured on tooth slice/scaffolds and implanted into immunodeficient mice.
- In vitro studies utilized VEGF stimulation to assess endothelial differentiation markers and signaling pathways.
- Differentiation was confirmed using techniques like tetracycline staining, confocal microscopy, and beta-galactosidase staining.
Main Results:
- SHED successfully differentiated into odontoblasts, generating tubular dentin in vivo.
- SHED exhibited differentiation into vascular endothelial cells, forming capillary-like structures in vitro.
- VEGF stimulation upregulated endothelial markers (VEGFR2, CD31, VE-Cadherin) and activated differentiation pathways (ERK, AKT) while inhibiting stemness pathways (STAT3).
Conclusions:
- SHED possess the capacity to differentiate into both odontoblasts and angiogenic endothelial cells.
- This dual differentiation potential highlights SHED as valuable for regenerative dentistry and understanding dentin formation.
- The findings support SHED as a viable cell source for developing novel dental tissue engineering strategies.
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