Characterization of osteoclast progenitor cells using dental pulp tissue

2020 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 19K24156
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Research Activity Start-up
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: 0907:Oral science and related fields
• Research Institution: Tokyo Dental College
• Principal Investigator: Nishida Daisuke 東京歯科大学, 歯学部, PF (00843608)
• Project Period (FY): 2019-08-30 – 2021-03-31
• Keywords: 破歯細胞 / 内部吸収 / 歯髄

Outline of Final Research Achievements

odontoclast appear on the inside of the tooth (pulp cavity side) due to damage caused by trauma or caries (cavity) and resorb the tooth. This disease is called internal absorption, but the mechanism of its onset is not well understood. In this study, in the pulp of damaged teeth, RANKL, which induces odontoclast, increased, and osteoprotegerin (OPG), which acts as a suppressor, decreased. As a result, it was clarified that the amount of RANKL relative to OPG increased and the odontoclast formation was induced.At this time, no difference was observed in the progenitor cells.

Free Research Field

口腔解剖学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

本研究では、歯が内側から吸収される疾患である、内部吸収における破歯細胞の調節に、破歯細胞を誘導するランクル(RANKL)、抑制に働くオステオプロテゲリン(OPG)が重要であることが明らかとなったが、内部吸収の発症メカニズムは未だ明確ではなく、破歯細胞の分化機構の解明が、その予防および治療法の確立に繋がると期待される。