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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jan 10, 2026

Author Spotlight: Understanding Dynamic Cellular Behaviors in Adult Mouse Dental Tissue Renewal and Repairment

Author Spotlight: Understanding Dynamic Cellular Behaviors in Adult Mouse Dental Tissue Renewal and Repairment

Published on: October 27, 2023

Stem cell specification and niche formation in developing incisor require actomyosin forces.

Yasmin Mohtadi Hamadani¹, Laura Evers¹, Satu-Marja Myllymaki²

¹Institute of Oral Biology, Centre for Dental Medicine, University of Zurich, Zurich 8032, Switzerland.

Stem Cells (Dayton, Ohio)

|November 26, 2025

Summary

Stem cell specification in mouse incisors occurs before niche formation, with an actomyosin network mechanically confining Sox2+ stem cells. Disruption impairs stemness, niche development, and incisor growth.

Keywords:

Sox2 actomyosin force continuously growing incisor single-cell RNA sequencing stem cell niche formation

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Isolation and Culture of Dental Epithelial Stem Cells from the Adult Mouse Incisor

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Published on: August 14, 2015

Area of Science:

Developmental Biology
Stem Cell Biology
Epithelial Biology

Background:

The precise timing of stem cell specification and niche formation in murine incisor development remains unclear.
Sox2 marks functional dental epithelial stem cells, but its expression dynamics during early development are not fully understood.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the temporal relationship between stem cell specification and niche formation in murine incisor development.
To elucidate the role of mechanical forces in maintaining stemness and guiding stem cell behavior.

Main Methods:

Genetic lineage tracing using Sox2CreERT2/+; R26RmT/mG and Sox2CreERT2/+; R26RtdT/+ embryos.
Single-cell RNA sequencing at various stages of incisor development.
Analysis of the actomyosin network and cellular tension.

Main Results:

A Sox2-expressing stem cell-like population exists prior to functional niche formation.
These cells are located at the leading edge of the incisor epithelium and are maintained in an undifferentiated state.
An actomyosin network generates contractile tension, mechanically confining Sox2+ stem cells and preserving their stemness.

Conclusions:

Stem cell specification precedes niche formation in murine incisors.
Mechanical confinement by the actomyosin network is crucial for maintaining stem cell properties until niche establishment.
Disruption of the actomyosin network leads to impaired stem cell clustering, premature differentiation, and abnormal incisor development.