Another step to growing teeth
The tooth was grown from gum cells
The results of the work done by researchers led by Professor Paul Sharpe are published in the Journal of Dental Research (Adult Human Gingival Epithelial Cells as a Source for Whole-tooth Bioengineering – VM).
The formation of teeth and gums in a human embryo begins by the end of the second month of intrauterine development. Tooth enamel is formed from epithelial tissue, and dentin – mineralized tooth tissue – from mesenchymal cells (germinal connective tissue).
To create a bioengineered tooth, Sharpe and his colleagues took samples of epithelial tissue from the gums of an adult. The scientists cultured these cells in the laboratory and then mixed them with mouse mesenchymal stem cells. The latter are the precursors of mesenchymal stromal cells capable of differentiating into cells of bone, cartilage or adipose tissue.
The researchers placed the "mixture" obtained from two types of cells in a special capsule and implanted it into the kidney of an adult mouse. The tooth grown in this way had viable roots, contained dentin and was covered with enamel. "Epithelial cells obtained from the gums of an adult are able to respond to signals from embryonic mesenchymal cells about the need for the formation of teeth. This contributes to the formation of the natural crown of the tooth and its roots, as well as the growth of the necessary cells in the laboratory (in vitro)," explained Sharpe.
Based on the fact that earlier another group of scientists proved the possibility of developing embryonic teeth into normal ones right in the mouth of an adult, Sharpe hopes that in the future bioengineered teeth will replace artificial implants. However, to do this, it is necessary to find a way to obtain a large number of mesenchymal cells in adults.
Portal "Eternal youth" http://vechnayamolodost.ru13.03.2013