Osteoblast differentiation of periodontal ligament stem cells expressing Gli1/Tomato fluorescence

2021 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 19K10171
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 57040:Regenerative dentistry and dental engineering-related
• Research Institution: Health Sciences University of Hokkaido
• Principal Investigator: HOSOYA Akihiro 北海道医療大学, 歯学部, 教授 (70350824)
• Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha): 建部 廣明 北海道医療大学, 歯学部, 講師 (40638293) ; 吉羽 邦彦 新潟大学, 医歯学系, 教授 (30220718) ; 入江 一元 北海道医療大学, 歯学部, 教授 (70223352)
• Project Period (FY): 2019-04-01 – 2022-03-31
• Keywords: 歯根膜幹細胞 / 歯槽骨再生 / Gli1

Outline of Final Research Achievements

The periodontal ligament (PDL) contains mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) that can differentiate into osteoblasts, cementoblasts, and fibroblasts. Nevertheless, the distribution and characteristics of these cells remain uncertain. Therefore, in the present study, the differentiation ability of Gli1-positive cells was examined using iGli1/Tomato mice. In 8-week-old iGli1/Tomato mice, Gli1/Tomato-positive cells were quiescent. However, these cells exhibited high CFU-F activity and were capable of multi-differentiation in vitro. Additionally, after transplantation of teeth of iGli1/Tomato mice into the hypodermis of wild-type mice, Tomato fluorescence indicating the progeny of Gli1-positive cells was detected in the osteoblasts of the regenerated bone. These results demonstrate that Gli1-positive cells in the PDL were MSCs and could contribute to the alveolar bone regeneration.

Free Research Field

口腔組織学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

歯根膜幹細胞を効率的に骨芽細胞へ分化誘導し、歯槽骨を再生させる治療法の開発が求められている。しかし、歯根膜に存在する幹細胞は僅かであり、単離が難しいため、歯周組織再生療法における応用はほとんど検討されてこなかった。本研究では幹細胞マーカーの一つであるGli1に注目し、このGli1を発現する歯根膜細胞が幹細胞特性を有することを明らかにした。また、歯槽骨再生および形成時に骨芽細胞へ分化することが示されたことから、Gli1を指標とした歯根膜幹細胞の研究が進むことが期待される。