Characterization of stem cells from exfoliated deciduous teeth from a patient with Alagille syndrome carrying a JAG1...

Alagille syndrome (ALGS) is an autosomal dominantly inherited disorder primarily caused by mutations in the Jagged Canonical Notch Ligand 1 (JAG1) gene. Although many pluripotent stem cells are well established, no patient-derived stem cells from exfoliated deciduous teeth (SHED) have been developed. In this study, we aimed to establish SHED from an ALGS patient carrying a heterozygous JAG1^mut mutation.

We isolated SHED from a deciduous tooth of an ALGS patient with a heterozygous JAG1 mutation (ALGS-SHED) by the colony-forming unit-fibroblast (CFU-F) method. We then compared the characteristics of ALGS-SHED and healthy donor-derived control SHED (CONT-SHED).

ALGS-SHED displayed mesenchymal stem cell features as indicated by CFU-F formation, immunophenotype, and mesenchymal multipotency into adipocytes, chondrocytes, and osteoblasts. ALGS-SHED showed reduced population doubling capacity and exhibited induced chondrogenic potency and diminished osteogenic potency, but similar hepatic potency. ALGS-SHED damaged in situ potency to form bile duct-like tubular structures in the livers of chronically CCl₄-injured mice.

We successfully established ALGS-SHED from an ALGS patient carrying a heterozygous JAG1 mutation. Our established ALGS-SHED may represent a potential model for studying ALGS involving a JAG1 mutation.