Stem cell property of postmigratory cranial neural crest cells and their utility in alveolar bone regeneration and tooth development.
The vertebrate neural crest is a multipotent cell population that gives rise to a variety of different cell types. We have discovered that postmigratory cranial neural crest cells (CNCCs) maintain mesenchymal stem cell characteristics and show potential utility for the regeneration of craniofacial structures. We are able to induce the osteogenic differentiation of postmigratory CNCCs, and this differentiation is regulated by bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) and transforming growth factor-beta signaling pathways. After transplantation into a host animal, postmigratory CNCCs form bone matrix. CNCC-formed bones are distinct from bones regenerated by bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells. In addition, CNCCs support tooth germ survival via BMP signaling in our CNCC-tooth germ cotransplantation system. Thus, we conclude that postmigratory CNCCs preserve stem cell features, contribute to craniofacial bone formation, and play a fundamental role in supporting tooth organ development. These findings reveal a novel function for postmigratory CNCCs in organ development, and demonstrate the utility of these CNCCs in regenerating craniofacial structures.
Center for Craniofacial Molecular Biology, School of Dentistry, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California 90033, USA.
Il-Hyuk
IH
Chung
Takayoshi
T
Yamaza
Hu
H
Zhao
Pill-Hoon
PH
Choung
Songtao
S
Shi
Yang
Y
Chai
D000539:Alveolar Process / Q000254:growth & development*; D000818:Animals; D019485:Bone Morphogenetic Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D001861:Bone Regeneration / Q000502:physiology*; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000502:physiology; D053595:Embryonic Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D016130:Immunophenotyping; D059630:Mesenchymal Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology* / Q000378:metabolism*; D051379:Mice; D008822:Mice, Transgenic; D039902:Multipotent Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism; D009432:Neural Crest / Q000166:cytology*; D010012:Osteogenesis / Q000502:physiology; D014070:Tooth / Q000254:growth & development*; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta / Q000378:metabolism
D019485:Bone Morphogenetic Proteins; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta