A trial approach for tooth regeneration by three-layer sandwich culture using neural crest-derived cells

2014 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 24592815
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Research Field: Functional basic dentistry
• Research Institution: Showa University
• Principal Investigator: SUZAWA Tetsuo 昭和大学, 歯学部, 講師 (60271285)
• Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha): KAMIJO Ryutaro 昭和大学, 歯学部, 教授 (70233939)
• Co-Investigator(Renkei-kenkyūsha): OSUMI Noriko 東北大学, 医学系研究科, 教授 (00220343) ; KUNISADA Takahiro 岐阜大学, 医学系研究科, 教授 (30205108)
• Project Period (FY): 2012-04-01 – 2015-03-31
• Keywords: 再生医学 / 神経堤由来細胞 / 組織幹細胞 / 発生・分化 / 歯胚再生

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Neural crest cells in the embryo migrate to reach target sites as neural crest-derived cells (NCDCs) where they differentiate into a variety of derivatives. With the aim of facilitating tooth regeneration by using non-dental-derived cells, we analyzed the characteristics of neural crest-derived cells (NCDCs) in adult tissues. We used P0-Cre/CAG-CAT-EGFP transgenic mice (P0 mice), in which NCDCs express green fluorescent protein (GFP). GFP-positive cells separated using flow cytometry expressed a high level of endothelin receptor type B (Ednrb) by DNA microarray. These GFP-positive cells were capable of proliferating into spheres and exist in the oral mucosa. They also were increased by endothelin 3, a ligand of Ednrb. Furthermore, GFP-positive cells had the capability to differentiate into various cell lineages including osteoblast-like cells and adipocyte-like cells. Therefore, adult oral NCDCs may be a useful cell source for regenerative medicine, including tooth regeneration.

Free Research Field

口腔生化学