Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 13, 2026
11:02
Establishing Organoids from Human Tooth as a Powerful Tool Toward Mechanistic Research and Regenerative Therapy
Published on: April 13, 2022
Adult human gingival epithelial cells as a source for whole-tooth bioengineering.
A Angelova Volponi1, M Kawasaki, P T Sharpe
1Department of Craniofacial Development and Stem Cell Biology, Dental Institute, King's College London, Tower Wing Guy's Hospital, London Bridge, London SE1 9RT, UK.
Journal of Dental Research
|March 6, 2013
Summary
Researchers bioengineered teeth using adult human gingival cells and embryonic mouse cells. This breakthrough offers potential for regenerative dentistry by creating human-origin tooth structures from non-embryonic sources.
Area of Science:
- Dental bioengineering
- Regenerative medicine
- Developmental biology
Background:
- Tooth development relies on intricate interactions between oral epithelium and neural crest-derived mesenchyme.
- Recombining embryonic cells can create teeth, but identifying non-embryonic cell sources is key for bioengineering applications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the potential of adult human gingival cells for tooth bioengineering.
- To determine if human gingival cells can form tooth structures when combined with embryonic cells.
Main Methods:
- Isolation and in vitro expansion of cells from adult human gingival tissue.
- Recombination of human gingival cells with mouse embryonic tooth mesenchyme.
- Transplantation of cell combinations into renal capsules for tooth development.
Main Results:
- Human gingival cells, when combined with mouse embryonic mesenchyme, formed teeth.
- Bioengineered teeth with developing roots were successfully generated.
- These teeth contained human-origin dentin, enamel, ameloblast-like cells, and rests of Malassez.
Conclusions:
- Adult human gingival cells are a viable source for tooth bioengineering.
- This research demonstrates a novel method for creating human-origin tooth structures.
- The findings support future advancements in regenerative dentistry and therapeutic tooth replacement.
