2023-08-22 02:30:08
Teeth are composed of enamel, dentin, and cementum, and enamel, which covers the exposed crown of the gums, is one of the hardest tissues in the human body. However, the enamel is easily melted by the acid produced by mutans bacteria living in the mouth by decomposing carbohydrates, resulting in tooth decay. Existing tooth decay treatment had to be supplemented by cutting and filling the affected part, but as a research team at the University of Washington reported that they succeeded in creating enamel from stem cells, it is expected that a new treatment for tooth decay by regenerative medicine will be established. Enamel is made by cells called enamel blast cells. However, since enamelblasts die following enamel formation is complete, even if enamel is damaged due to tooth decay, there is almost no way to restore or regenerate it, and there is no choice but to rely on remineralization by minerals contained in saliva. Therefore, the research team employed an analysis technique called sci-RNA-seq (single-cell combinatorial indexing RNA sequencing) to identify which genes are active at various stages of cell development. This is a technology that reveals which genes are active at which stages from mRNA changes at various stages of cell development. To investigate which genes are activated at which stage in the differentiation of undifferentiated stem cells into cells that form teeth, and which genes are activated to differentiate into enamel blast cells. From this result, the research team succeeded in inducing undifferentiated human stem cells and differentiating them into enamel blast cells. At the same time, it is reported that the precursors of odontoblasts that form dentin have been identified for the first time. In addition, the research team succeeded in forming small multicellular tissues called organoids by inducing these cells together. Organoids were found to secrete three enamel proteins: ameroblastin, amerogenin, and enamelin. It is said that they were able to confirm the calcification process for these enamel proteins to form an extracellular matrix and become enamel. The research team is working on a more efficient process for forming enamel with a hardness comparable to that of natural teeth. In the future, the goal is to develop a way to restore damaged enamel with this artificial enamel. If this process is put to practical use, there is a possibility of making bio-derived fillings for teeth that have been melted or punctured by cavities, etc., and it may be possible to make stem cell-derived teeth that replace lost teeth. The research team said that large and complex organs such as the human pancreas, kidneys and brain take time to regenerate safely from stem cells, but teeth are much smaller and less complex. Related information can be found here.
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