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Isolation and Culture of Dental Epithelial Stem Cells from the Adult Mouse Incisor
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Published on: May 1, 2014

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A quiescent cell population replenishes mesenchymal stem cells to drive accelerated growth in mouse incisors

Zhengwen An1, Maja Sabalic1, Ryan F Bloomquist2

  • 1Centre for Craniofacial and Regenerative Biology, Dental Institute, Kings College London, London, SE1 9RT, UK.

Nature Communications
|January 27, 2018
PubMed

Insights

A specific subpopulation of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), identified by CD90/Thy1 expression, drives mouse incisor growth. These CD90/Thy1+ MSCs are crucial for rapid incisor regrowth after injury.

Area of Science:

  • Stem cell biology
  • Developmental biology
  • Oral biology

Background:

  • Mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) heterogeneity and its functional implications remain poorly understood.
  • The role of specific MSC subpopulations in tissue homeostasis and regeneration is an active area of research.
  • Understanding the regulation of continuously growing tissues, like the mouse incisor, offers insights into stem cell dynamics.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the functional significance of CD90/Thy1 expression within mouse incisor mesenchymal stem cell populations.
  • To determine the contribution of CD90/Thy1+ MSCs to differentiated cell progeny during postnatal development and adulthood.
  • To explore the dynamic changes in CD90/Thy1+ MSCs in response to injury and their role in tissue regeneration.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized flow cytometry to identify and quantify CD90/Thy1+ MSCs in mouse incisors.
  • Tracked the contribution of CD90/Thy1+ MSCs to differentiated cell lineages during development.
  • Analyzed changes in CD90/Thy1+ MSC populations and cell differentiation following incisor injury (clipping).
  • Investigated the role of Celsr1+ quiescent cells in replenishing the CD90/Thy1+ MSC pool.

Main Results:

  • Approximately 30% of mouse incisor MSCs express CD90/Thy1, contributing equally to differentiated progeny during postnatal growth.
  • In adult mice with established homeostasis, CD90/Thy1+ MSCs significantly decrease in number.
  • Following incisor clipping, accelerated regrowth correlates with a reappearance of CD90/Thy1+ MSCs and their renewed contribution to differentiation.
  • A population of Celsr1+ quiescent cells becomes activated and replenishes the CD90/Thy1+ MSC pool after injury.

Conclusions:

  • A distinct subpopulation of mouse incisor MSCs, marked by CD90/Thy1 expression, is specifically involved in periods of heightened growth.
  • CD90/Thy1+ MSCs are essential for the rapid re-establishment of incisor length and homeostasis after injury.
  • The dynamic regulation of CD90/Thy1+ MSCs, involving quiescent Celsr1+ cells, highlights a specialized stem cell response to growth demands.

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