Dental stem cells (DSCs), a distinct subset of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), are isolated from dental tissues, such as dental pulp, exfoliated deciduous teeth, periodontal ligament, and apical papilla. They have emerged as a promising source of stem cell therapy for tissue regeneration and autoimmune disorders. The main types of DSCs include dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs), stem cells from human exfoliated deciduous teeth (SHED), periodontal ligament stem cells (PDLSCs), and stem cells from apical papilla (SCAP). Each type exhibits distinct advantages: easy access via minimally invasive procedures, multi-lineage differentiation potential, and excellent ethical acceptability. DSCs have demonstrated outstanding clinical efficacy in oral and maxillofacial regeneration, and their long-term safety has been verified. In oral tissue regeneration, DSCs are highly effective in oral tissue regeneration for critical applications such as the restoration of dental pulp vitality and periodontal tissue repair. A defining advantage of DSCs lies in their ability to integrate with host tissues and promote physiological regeneration, which render them a better option for oral tissue regenerative therapies. Beyond oral applications, DSCs also exhibit promising potential in the treatment of systemic diseases, including type Ⅱ diabetes and autoimmune diseases due to their immunomodulatory effects. Moreover, extracellular vesicles (EVs) derived from DSCs act as critical mediators for DSCs' paracrine functions. Possessing regulatory properties similar to their parental cells, EVs are extensively utilized in research targeting tissue repair, immunomodulation, and regenerative therapy-offering a "cell-free" strategy to mitigate the limitations associated with cell-based therapies. Despite these advancements, standardizing large-scale manufacturing, maintaining strict quality control, and clarifying the molecular mechanisms underlying the interaction of DSCs and their EVs with recipient tissues remain major obstacles to the clinical translation of these treatments into broad clinical use. Addressing these barriers will be critical to enhancing their clinical applicability and therapeutic efficacy. In conclusion, DSCs and their EVs represent a transformative approach in regenerative medicine, and increasing clinical evidence supports their application in oral and systemic diseases. Continuous innovation remains essential to unlocking the widespread clinical potential of DSCs.
Humans ; Dental Pulp/cytology* ; Translational Research, Biomedical ; Mesenchymal Stem Cells/cytology* ; Periodontal Ligament/cytology* ; Stem Cells/cytology* ; Regeneration ; Tooth, Deciduous/cytology* ; Cell Differentiation ; Tissue Engineering/methods* ; Regenerative Medicine

The regulatory processes in developmental biology research are significantly influenced by long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs). However, the dynamics of lncRNA expression during human tooth development remain poorly understood. In this research, we examined the lncRNAs present in the dental epithelium (DE) and dental mesenchyme (DM) at the late bud, cap, and early bell stages of human fetal tooth development through bulk RNA sequencing. Developmental regulators co-expressed with neighboring lncRNAs were significantly enriched in odontogenesis. Specific lncRNAs expressed in the DE and DM, such as PANCR, MIR205HG, DLX6-AS1, and DNM3OS, were identified through a combination of bulk RNA sequencing and single-cell analysis. Further subcluster analysis revealed lncRNAs specifically expressed in important regions of the tooth germ, such as the inner enamel epithelium and coronal dental papilla (CDP). Functionally, we demonstrated that CDP-specific DLX6-AS1 enhanced odontoblastic differentiation in human tooth germ mesenchymal cells and dental pulp stem cells. These findings suggest that lncRNAs could serve as valuable cell markers for tooth development and potential therapeutic targets for tooth regeneration.
Humans ; RNA, Long Noncoding/metabolism* ; Odontogenesis/genetics* ; Tooth Germ/embryology* ; Cell Differentiation ; Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental ; Mesoderm/metabolism* ; Tooth/embryology* ; Gene Expression Profiling ; Sequence Analysis, RNA ; Dental Pulp/cytology*

Mesenchymal stem cells are highly regarded for their potential in tissue repair and regenerative medicine due to their multipotency and self-renewal abilities. Recently, mesenchymal stem cells have been redefined as "medical signaling cells," with their primary biological effects mediated through exosome secretion. These exosomes, which contain lipids, proteins, RNA, and metabolites, are crucial in regulating various biological processes and enhancing regenerative therapies. Exosomes replicate the effects of their parent cells while offering benefits such as reduced side effects, low immunogenicity, excellent biocompatibility, and high drug-loading capacity. Dental stem cells, including those from apical papilla, gingiva, dental pulp, and other sources, are key contributors to exosome-mediated regenerative effects, such as tumor cell apoptosis, neuroprotection, angiogenesis, osteogenesis, and immune modulation. Despite their promise, clinical application of exosomes is limited by challenges in isolation techniques. Current methods face issues of complexity, inefficiency, and insufficient purity, hindering detailed analysis. Recent advancements, such as micro-electromechanical systems, alternating current electroosmosis, and serum-free three-dimensional cell cultures, have improved exosome isolation efficacy. This review synthesizes nearly 200 studies on dental stem cell-derived exosomes, highlighting their potential in treating a wide range of conditions, including periodontal diseases, cancer, neurodegenerative disorders, diabetes, and more. Optimized isolation methods offer a path forward for overcoming current limitations and advancing the clinical use of exosome-based therapies.
Exosomes/physiology* ; Humans ; Mesenchymal Stem Cells/cytology* ; Dental Pulp/cytology* ; Stem Cells/cytology* ; Tooth/cytology*

Positional information plays a crucial role in embryonic pattern formation, yet its role in tooth development remains unexplored. In this study, we investigated the regional specification of lingual and buccal dental mesenchyme during tooth development. Tooth germs at the cap stage were dissected from mouse mandibles, and their lingual and buccal mesenchymal regions were separated for bulk RNA sequencing. Gene ontology analysis revealed that odontogenesis, pattern specification, and proliferation-related genes were enriched in the lingual mesenchyme, whereas stem cell development, mesenchymal differentiation, neural crest differentiation, and regeneration-related genes were predominant in the buccal mesenchyme. Reaggregation experiments using Wnt1^creERT/+; R26R^tdT/+ and WT mouse models demonstrated that lingual mesenchyme contributes to tooth formation, while buccal mesenchyme primarily supports surrounding tissues. Furthermore, only the lingual part of tooth germs exhibited odontogenic potential when cultured in vitro and transplanted under the kidney capsule. Bulk RNA transcriptomic analysis further validated the regional specification of the lingual and buccal mesenchyme. These findings provide novel insights into the molecular basis of positional information in tooth development and pattern formation.
Animals ; Mice ; Odontogenesis/genetics* ; Tooth Germ/cytology* ; Mesoderm/cytology* ; Cell Differentiation ; Mesenchymal Stem Cells ; Tooth/embryology*

Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease (CMT) is the commonest form of inherited neuropathy and has an incidence of 1/2500. CMT1A is the commonest subtype of CMT, which is caused by duplication of peripheral myelin protein 22 (PMP22) gene and accounts for approximately 50% of CMT diagnosed by genetic testing. Duplication of PMP22 may influence the production of PMP22 mRNA and protein, and interfere with the proliferation, differentiation and apoptosis of Schwann cells. In addition, deregulation of NRG1/ErbB pathway and lipid metabolism can also lead to dysfunction of Schwann cells. Such factors may disturb the myelination process, leading to axon degeneration, muscle weakness, and atrophy subsequently. Accordingly, drug therapies for CMT1A are developed by targeting such factors. PXT3003, antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs) and small interfering RNA (siRNA) are supposed to down-regulate the level of PMP22 mRNA, while recombinant human NRG-1 (rhNRG1) and neurotrophin-3 (NT-3) may enhance Schwann cells survival and differentiation. In addition, lipid-supplemented diet may remedy the defect of lipid metabolism and maintain the proper structure of myelin. Other targeting drugs include ascorbic acid, progesterone antagonists, IFB-088, ADX71441, and ACE-083. This review is to sum up the pathogenesis of CMT1A and promising targeting drug therapies for further research.
Cell Differentiation ; Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease ; genetics ; pathology ; therapy ; Genetic Testing ; Humans ; Schwann Cells ; cytology

The teeth are highly differentiated chewing organs formed by the development of tooth germ tissue located in the jaw and consist of the enamel, dentin, cementum, pulp, and periodontal tissue. Moreover, the teeth have a complicated regulatory mechanism, special histologic origin, diverse structure, and important function in mastication, articulation, and aesthetics. These characteristics, to a certain extent, greatly complicate the research in tooth regeneration. Recently, new ideas for tooth and tissue regeneration have begun to appear with rapid developments in the theories and technologies in tissue engineering. Numerous types of stem cells have been isolated from dental tissue, such as dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs), stem cells isolated from human pulp of exfoliated deciduous teeth (SHED), periodontal ligament stem cells (PDLSCs), stem cells from apical papilla (SCAPs), and dental follicle cells (DFCs). All these cells can regenerate the tissue of tooth. This review outlines the cell types and strategies of stem cell therapy applied in tooth regeneration, in order to provide theoretical basis for clinical treatments.
Adult Stem Cells ; physiology ; Animals ; Cell Differentiation ; Humans ; Stem Cell Transplantation ; Tissue Engineering ; Tooth ; cytology ; growth & development ; physiology ; Wound Healing

OBJECTIVE: Stem cells from human exfoliated teeth (SHED) were sorted by magnetically activated cell sorting (MACS) technique to obtain the CD146 positive and negative cell subpopulation. Then the biological characteristics of these subpopulations were compared to explore their specific application potential in tissue engineering. METHODS: In this study, freshly extracted deciduous teeth without any caries or dental pulp disease were obtained. SHED was isolated using enzyme digestion method and then sorted by MACS, CD146 positive cells and CD146 negative cells were obtained after cell sorting. The biological characteristics of the unsorted mixed cells, CD146 positive subpopulation and CD146 negative subpopulation were compared. The proliferation ability was detected through cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) and colony-forming unit (CFU). After osteogenic induction, alizarin red staining was performed and the gene expression of osteogenic related markers was detected by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction(qPCR). After adipogenic induction, oil-red O staining was performed and the gene expression of adipogenic related markers was detected. After neurogenic differentiation induction, the expression of neural markers was detected by immunofluorescence and the gene expression of neural markers was detected by qPCR. RESULTS: SHED of the fifth passage was sorted by MACS. And the CD146 positive cell subpopulation and CD146 negative cell subpopulation were obtained. CCK8 assay showed that the proliferative tendency of the three cell groups was consistent, but the proliferation potential of CD146 positive and negative cell subpopulations was significantly lower than that of the unsorted cells. The colony forming rates of the unsorted mixed cell group, CD146 positive and negative populations were 28.6%±3%,17.1%±2.3% and 27.5%±2.5%, respectively. After 21 days of osteogenic induction, alizarin red staining and qPCR showed that the CD146 positive cell population had more mineralized nodule formation and expressed higher level of osteogenic related genes compared with the other two groups. After 21 days of adipogenic induction, oil red O staining and qPCR results showed that the CD146 negative subpopulation produced more lipid droplets and the expression of lipid related genes increased more significantly. After 14 days of neural induction, cell immunofluorescence and qPCR results showed that the unsorted mixed cell group and CD146 positive subpopulation expressed glial cell marker, and the expressions of neural precursor cells and neuronal marker increased significantly in negative subpopulation. CONCLUSION The unsorted mixed cells showed better proliferative potential than CD146 positive and negative subpopulations. The CD146 positive subpopulation was most potent in osteogenic differentiation; it was more suitable for bone tissue engineering. The CD146 negative cells had stronger adipogenic differentiation potential than the other two cell groups; different subpopulations differed in neural differentiation.
Bone and Bones ; CD146 Antigen/analysis* ; Cell Differentiation ; Cell Movement ; Cell Proliferation ; Cells, Cultured ; Humans ; Mesenchymal Stem Cells ; Neural Stem Cells ; Neurons ; Osteogenesis ; Staining and Labeling ; Tissue Engineering ; Tooth, Deciduous/cytology*

The interplay between mechanoresponses and a broad range of fundamental biological processes, such as cell cycle progression, growth and differentiation, has been extensively investigated. However, metabolic regulation in mechanobiology remains largely unexplored. Here, we identified glucose transporter 1 (GLUT1)-the primary glucose transporter in various cells-as a novel mechanosensitive gene in orthodontic tooth movement (OTM). Using an in vivo rat OTM model, we demonstrated the specific induction of Glut1 proteins on the compressive side of a physically strained periodontal ligament. This transcriptional activation could be recapitulated in in vitro cultured human periodontal ligament cells (PDLCs), showing a time- and dose-dependent mechanoresponse. Importantly, application of GLUT1 specific inhibitor WZB117 greatly suppressed the efficiency of orthodontic tooth movement in a mouse OTM model, and this reduction was associated with a decline in osteoclastic activities. A mechanistic study suggested that GLUT1 inhibition affected the receptor activator for nuclear factor-κ B Ligand (RANKL)/osteoprotegerin (OPG) system by impairing compressive force-mediated RANKL upregulation. Consistently, pretreatment of PDLCs with WZB117 severely impeded the osteoclastic differentiation of co-cultured RAW264.7 cells. Further biochemical analysis indicated mutual regulation between GLUT1 and the MEK/ERK cascade to relay potential communication between glucose uptake and mechanical stress response. Together, these cross-species experiments revealed the transcriptional activation of GLUT1 as a novel and conserved linkage between metabolism and bone remodelling.
Animals ; Biomechanical Phenomena ; Blotting, Western ; Bone Remodeling ; drug effects ; Cells, Cultured ; Glucose Transporter Type 1 ; antagonists & inhibitors ; genetics ; Humans ; Hydroxybenzoates ; pharmacology ; Immunohistochemistry ; MAP Kinase Signaling System ; drug effects ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Osteoprotegerin ; metabolism ; Periodontal Ligament ; cytology ; RANK Ligand ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Tooth Movement Techniques ; Transcriptional Activation

OBJECTIVETo compare the osteogenic differentiation potential and osteoclast capacity between stem cells from human exfoliated deciduous teeth (SHED) in the physiological root resorption period and dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs).

METHODSSHED and DPSCs were isolated, purified and cultured in vitro. The two stem cells were examined with ALP staining at 14 days and with alizarin red staining at 21 days of osteogenic induction, and the expressions of the genes associated with osteogenesis and osteoclastogenesis were detected using real-time PCR.

RESULTSThe isolated SHED and DPSCs both showed an elongate spindle-shaped morphology. After osteogenic induction of the cells, Alizarin red staining visualized a greater number of mineralized nodules in SHED than in DPSCs (P<0.05), and SHED also exhibited a stronger ALP activity than DPSCs (P<0.05). RT-PCR test results showed that the two stem cells expressed RANKL,OCN, ALP, OPG and Runx2 mRNA after osteogenic induction, but the expression levels of Runx2, OCN and ALP were lower in DPSCs than in SHED (P<0.05), and the ratio of RANKL/OPG was significantly higher in SHED (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONSCompared with DPSCs, SHED has not only the ability of osteogenic differentiation but also an osteoclast capacity, which sheds light on the regulatory role of SHED in physiological root resorption bone remodeling.

Alkaline Phosphatase ; metabolism ; Cell Differentiation ; Cell Proliferation ; Cells, Cultured ; Core Binding Factor Alpha 1 Subunit ; metabolism ; Dental Pulp ; cytology ; Humans ; Osteoclasts ; cytology ; Osteogenesis ; Osteopontin ; metabolism ; RANK Ligand ; metabolism ; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Stem Cells ; cytology ; Tooth, Deciduous ; cytology

OBJECTIVETo analyze the whole microbial structure in a case of rampant caries to provide evidence for its prevention and treatment.

METHODSClinical samples including blood, supragingival plaque, plaque in the caries cavity, saliva, and mucosal swabs were collected with the patient's consent. The blood sample was sent for routine immune test, and the others samples were stained using Gram method and cultured for identifying colonies and 16S rRNA sequencing. DNA was extracted from the samples and tested for the main cariogenic bacterium (Streptococcus mutans) with qPCR, and the whole microbial structure was analyzed using DGGE.

RESULTSThe patient had a high levels of IgE and segmented neutrophils in his blood. Streptococci with extremely long chains were found in the saliva samples under microscope. Culture of the samples revealed the highest bacterial concentration in the saliva. The relative content of hemolytic bacterium was detected in the samples, the highest in the caries cavity; C. albicans was the highest in the dental plaque. In addition, 33 bacterial colonies were identified by VITEK system and 16S rDNA sequence phylogenetic analysis, and among them streptococci and Leptotrichia wade were enriched in the dental plaque sample, Streptococcus mutans, Fusobacterium nucleatum, and Streptococcus tigurinus in the caries cavity, and Lactobacillus in the saliva. S. mutans was significantly abundant in the mucosal swabs, saliva and plaque samples of the caries cavity as shown by qPCR. Compared to samples collected from a healthy individual and another two patients with rampant caries, the samples from this case showed a decreased bacterial diversity and increased bacterial abundance shown by PCR-DGGE profiling, and multiple Leptotrichia sp. were detected by gel sequencing.

CONCLUSIONThe outgrowth of such pathogenic microorganisms as S. mutans and Leptotrichia sp., and dysbiosis of oral microbial community might contribute to the pathogenesis of rampant caries in this case.

Abnormalities, Multiple ; Dental Caries ; microbiology ; Dental Plaque ; microbiology ; Fusobacterium ; isolation & purification ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin E ; blood ; Lactobacillus ; isolation & purification ; Leptotrichia ; isolation & purification ; Limb Deformities, Congenital ; Microbiota ; Mouth Mucosa ; microbiology ; Neutrophils ; cytology ; Phylogeny ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S ; genetics ; Saliva ; microbiology ; Streptococcus ; isolation & purification ; Tooth Abnormalities