Elucidation of CD44 mediated odontoblastic differentiation induction mechanism of dental pulp stem cells

2019 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 17K17146
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Young Scientists (B)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Research Field: Conservative dentistry
• Research Institution: Asahi University
• Principal Investigator: Ohta Takahisa 朝日大学, 歯学部, 非常勤講師 (10454274)
• Project Period (FY): 2017-04-01 – 2020-03-31
• Keywords: 歯髄幹細胞

Outline of Final Research Achievements

In our previous study, we demonstrated that hyaluronan induces odontoblastic differentiation of dental pulp stem cells via interactions with CD44. However, it remains unclear whether CD44 expression by dental pulp stem cells is required for odontoblastic differentiation.
We found that the shikonin which is include derivatives of naphthoquinone, the skeleton of vitamin K. The shikonin-induced expression of DSPP was inhibited by PI3K, AKT, and mTOR inhibitors. In addition, in dental pulp stem cells transfected with siRNA against CD44, the shikonin-induced expression of dentin sialophosphoprotein was inhibited.

Free Research Field

口腔外科

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

本研究により、歯髄幹細胞を効率的に象牙芽細胞へと分化誘導する化合物の探索し成功し、また、そのメカニズムの一端を明らかにした。
これにより、不明確であった歯髄幹細胞の分化誘導メカニズムの一部を明らかにしたことにより、今後、歯髄再生の方策に繋がることが期待される。また、歯科臨床における、新たな治療法の開発の一助となる。