title: Cellular and molecular mechanisms of tooth root development.
abstract: The tooth root is an integral, functionally important part of our dentition. The formation of a functional root depends on epithelial-mesenchymal interactions and integration of the root with the jaw bone, blood supply and nerve innervations. The root development process therefore offers an attractive model for investigating organogenesis. Understanding how roots develop and how they can be bioengineered is also of great interest in the field of regenerative medicine. Here, we discuss recent advances in understanding the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying tooth root formation. We review the function of cellular structure and components such as Hertwig's epithelial root sheath, cranial neural crest cells and stem cells residing in developing and adult teeth. We also highlight how complex signaling networks together with multiple transcription factors mediate tissue-tissue interactions that guide root development. Finally, we discuss the possible role of stem cells in establishing the crown-to-root transition, and provide an overview of root malformations and diseases in humans.
authors.affiliation: Center for Craniofacial Molecular Biology, Ostrow School of Dentistry, University of Southern California, 2250 Alcazar Street, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA.|Molecular Laboratory for Gene Therapy and Tooth Regeneration, Beijing Key Laboratory of Tooth Regeneration and Function Reconstruction, Capital Medical University School of Stomatology, Beijing 100050, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Jingyuan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: Center for Craniofacial Molecular Biology, Ostrow School of Dentistry, University of Southern California, 2250 Alcazar Street, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA.
authors.forename: Carolina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Parada
authors.affiliation: Center for Craniofacial Molecular Biology, Ostrow School of Dentistry, University of Southern California, 2250 Alcazar Street, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA ychai@usc.edu.
authors.forename: Yang
authors.identifier: 0000-0002-8943-0861
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Chai
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D019485:Bone Morphogenetic Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D005346:Fibroblast Growth Factors / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D053823:Hedgehog Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D051379:Mice; D008817:Mice, Mutant Strains; D003765:Models, Dental; D009805:Odontogenesis / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000502:physiology; D013234:Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology; D014071:Tooth Abnormalities / Q000235:genetics; D019228:Tooth Crown / Q000166:cytology / Q000254:growth & development / Q000502:physiology; D014092:Tooth Root / Q000166:cytology / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000502:physiology; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D060449:Wnt Signaling Pathway / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D019485:Bone Morphogenetic Proteins; D053823:Hedgehog Proteins; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta; D005346:Fibroblast Growth Factors
keywords: Odontogenesis; Root; Signaling network; Stem cells and tissue regeneration; Tooth