Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 14, 2026
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Single-cell Transcriptomic Analyses of Mouse Pancreatic Endocrine Cells
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A Single-Cell Transcriptomic Atlas of Epithelial Cell Heterogeneity During the Crown-to-Root Transition in the Mouse
Fei Bi1,2, Tian Chen1,2, Jiusi Guo3
1State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases and National Center for Stomatology and National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases and National Engineering Laboratory for Oral Regenerative Medicine, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China.
International Journal of Molecular Sciences
|February 13, 2026
Summary
Researchers mapped dental epithelial cell types during tooth root development. This reveals distinct subpopulations orchestrating root formation and enamel production, crucial for understanding developmental biology and regenerative medicine.
Area of Science:
- Developmental Biology
- Cell Biology
- Genomics
Background:
- The crown-to-root transition in tooth development is complex and not fully understood.
- Functional differences within the dental epithelium are key but poorly characterized.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze dental epithelial heterogeneity during the crown-to-root transition.
- To identify specific cell subpopulations and their roles in root development.
Main Methods:
- Single-cell transcriptomic atlas of mouse molars at postnatal days 3.5 and 7.5.
- Analysis of 30,951 total cells, with a focus on 4,323 dental epithelial cells.
Main Results:
- Identified seven distinct dental epithelial subpopulations with a lineage hierarchy.
- Characterized functions including progenitors, proliferation drivers, signaling centers, enamel formation cells, and matrix organizers.
- Revealed extensive communication via Bmp, Tgf-β, and Wnt pathways.
Conclusions:
- Dental epithelium is a dynamic, heterogeneous orchestrator of root morphogenesis.
- Provides a framework for understanding tooth development.
- Pioneers future regenerative strategies based on specific epithelial cell functions.
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