Mesenchymal stem cells of dental origin as promising tools for neuroregeneration

The adult central nervous system has only a very limited ability to newly generate lost neurons and glial cells. Therefore, its self-renewal efficiency after degenerative damage or acute injuries is very limited. Mesenchymal stem cells of various tissue origins, including dental tissues, are among the most promising tools in stem cell therapeutic approaches. In a previous issue of Stem Cell Research & Therapy, Ellis and colleagues demonstrated the neuronal differentiation potential of murine dental pulp stem cells. Our commentary discusses the significance of the study, the parallel efforts of other laboratories, the present limitations of neuronal transdifferentiation using cells obtained by various available methods, and the possible breakthrough by combining the various cellular resources with pharmacological and tissue engineering methods.