Elucidation of the tissue stem cells that contribute to alveolar bone regeneration in mice

2020 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 19K19042
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Basic Section 57030:Conservative dentistry-related
• Research Institution: Matsumoto Dental University
• Principal Investigator: Horibe Kanji 松本歯科大学, 歯学部, 助教 (70733509)
• Project Period (FY): 2019-04-01 – 2021-03-31
• Keywords: 歯槽骨 / 歯周組織 / 歯周病 / 骨再生

Outline of Final Research Achievements

It has been reported through analysis of cultured cells and ectopic bone formation experiments using cell transplantation that periodontal ligament-derived cells have a very high osteogenic potential, and stem cells in the periodontal ligament are thought to be important for alveolar bone regeneration. However, it has been unclear how periodontal ligament stem cells actually contribute to periodontal tissue regeneration. Using Osterix expressed in periodontal ligament cells as a label, we analyzed the cell lineage of Osterix-positive cells and their progeny in the periodontal ligament over time during tissue healing after tooth extraction and periodontal disease.
The results suggested that Osterix-positive cells in the periodontal ligament showed proliferative activity during periodontal tissue healing/regeneration, and contributed to the regeneration of not only bone tissue but also mucosal epithelium.

Free Research Field

歯科

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

歯の保持において歯周組織、特に歯槽骨の存在は最も大きい。歯の喪失の最大の原因である歯周病は不可逆的な歯周組織破壊を引き起こす。これは、歯の脱落による摂食機能の喪失へと繋がる。したがって、歯周病の発生予防と共に、歯周病罹患後の歯周組織の再生による健康状態への復帰は、食機能維持によるQOL向上を目的とする歯科臨床において最も重要な課題の一つである。
今回、我々の研究により歯根膜中のOsterix陽性細胞が抜歯および歯周病後の口腔粘膜上皮および、歯槽骨の再生に直接寄与することが明らかとなった。この結果は、歯周組織・歯槽骨再生に寄与する細胞の特性の解明や、細胞療法の発展に寄与するものと考える。