An international team of researchers has found a new mechanism that could offer a potential new solution to tooth repair.1 They discovered a new population of mesenchymal stromal cells in a continuously growing mouse incisor model. They have shown that these cells contribute to the formation of dentine.

figure 1

A group of mesenchymal (green) stem cells migrating in a tooth to further regenerate tissues. Source: Media and Communications, University of Plymouth

The study was led by Dr Bing Hu of the Peninsula Dental School of the University of Plymouth, UK.

Importantly, the work showed that when the mesenchymal stromal cells are activated they send signals back to the mother cells of the tissue to control the number of cells produced, through a molecular gene called Dlk1. This study is the first to show that Dlk1 is vital for this process to work. In the same study, the researchers also demonstrated that Dlk1 can enhance stem cell activation and tissue regeneration in a wound healing model. This mechanism could provide an innovative solution for tooth repair, addressing problems such as tooth decay, crumbling and trauma treatment. Further studies are needed to validate the results for clinical applications to determine the appropriate duration and dose of treatment.

Dr Denis Corbeil from the Biotechnology Center of the TU Dresden (BIOTEC), one of the co-authors of the study, said: 'The discovery of this new population of stromal cells was very exciting and has enormous potential in regenerative medicine'.