Press Release: Future Health’s Tooth Stem Cell service provides access to a ‘treasure chest’ of stem cells Future Health launched the tooth stem cell service a number of years ago based on the premise that teeth contain valuable Mesenchymal Stem Cells (MSCs) that are readily accessible and easy to characterise. Because these MSCs have an immunophenotype that is comparable to those already utilised in clinical trials, both extracted and deciduous teeth are thought to be a valuable source of both autologous and allogeneic MSCs.These could in the future potentially be used to help treat various dental and medical conditions, such as bone and muscle regeneration. They also offer a ‘natural’ solution to restoring damaged tissues such as dental pulp engineering, the generation of complete or partial tooth structures for biological implants and the regenerative of tissue due to periodontal disease. A new article published in the British Dental Journal re-affirms the valuableness of stem cells captured from teeth and emphasises the importance of the various sub-populations:
A: Dental Follicle Stem Cells (DFSCs) - Express the putative stem cell markers Nestin and Notch-1 - Differentiate into cementoblasts, osteoblasts and fibroblasts (all the major cell types found in the periodontium)
B: Dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs) - Highly proliferative - Colony-forming capacities - Similar immunophenotype to bone marrow stem cells - Capable of differentiating into adipocytes, osteoblasts and endoteliocytes - Replace odontoblasts - DPSCs and SCAP cells demonstrate de novo regeneration of dental pulp in empty root canal spaces - A good source of MSCs for use in craniomaxillofacial repair
C: Gingivia - Contains fibroblasts that play a crucial part in wound healing - Progenitor Stem Cells and multipotent MSCs have been isolated and characterised from gingival fibroblasts - Gingival fibroblasts can generate IPS stem cell lines - Have immunosuppressive propertie
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D: Peridontal Ligament Stem Cells (PDLSCs) - Positive for stem cell markers (STRO-1/CD146) - Form cementum PDL-like structures and collagen fibres - Retain tissue regeneration even after recovery from frozen human tissue - When co-transplanted with SCAP cells, produce a root/periodontal complex capable of normal tooth formation in combination with synthetic materials - Capable of forming periodontal tissue around titanium implants in rats - Cultured PDLs could be used in heart valve tissue engineering - Have immunosuppressive properties
E: Root Apical Papilla Stem Cells (SCAPCs) - Very high proliferative potential - Can differentiate into odontoblasts and adipocytes - A source of primary odontoblasts that form root dentine For further information on the Tooth service or to arrange a visit/consultation by our Tooth Stems Cell team contact us on 0800 954 5335 or email custcare@fhbb.com. Source: British Dental Journal, Volume 215, Oct 12/2013
