A novel junctional epithelial cell line, mHAT-JE01, derived from incisor epithelial cells.

Objectives: Junctional epithelium (JE) connects the tooth surface and gingival epithelium and adheres directly to the tooth enamel. JE plays an important role as a barrier preventing the invasion of exogenous bacteria and substances. However, the cellular characteristics of this epithelium have not been adequately described, because no useful in vitro experimental model exists for JE.

Energy metabolic shift contributes to the phenotype modulation of maturation stage ameloblasts.

Maturation stage ameloblasts (M-ABs) are responsible for terminal enamel mineralization in teeth and undergo characteristic cyclic changes in both morphology and function between ruffle-ended ameloblasts (RA) and smooth-ended ameloblasts (SA). Energy metabolism has recently emerged as a potential regulator of cell differentiation and fate decisions; however, its implication in M-ABs remains unclear. To elucidate the relationship between M-ABs and energy metabolism, we examined the expression pattern of energy metabolic enzymes in M-ABs of mouse incisors.

Semaphorin-RhoA signaling regulates HERS maintenance by acting against TGF-β-induced EMT.

Background And Objectives: Hertwig's epithelial root sheath (HERS) plays a role in root dentin formation. It produces the epithelial rests of Malassez (ERM) for the induction of periodontal tissue development during root formation. Although ERM is thought to be caused by epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), the mechanism by which HERS is maintained as epithelium is unknown.

LPA-RhoA signals regulate junctional complexes for polarity and morphology establishment of maturation stage ameloblasts.

Objectives: Lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) is a potent bioactive phospholipid that exerts various functions upon binding to six known G protein-coupled receptors (LPA); however; its role in a tooth remains unclear. This study aimed to explore the impact of the LPA/LPA receptor 6 (LPA)/RhoA signaling axis on maturation stage ameloblasts (M-ABs), which are responsible for enamel mineralization.

Methods: The expression of LPA and LPA-producing synthetic enzymes during ameloblast differentiation was explored through immunobiological analysis of mouse incisors and molars.

Harmine promotes molar root development via SMAD1/5/8 phosphorylation.

Tooth and bone are major tissues involved in physiological calcification in the body, and they use similar molecular pathways for development, homeostasis, and regeneration. Harmine (HMN) is a natural small compound that stimulates osteoblast differentiation in vitro and in vivo. Here we examined the biological effect of HMN on the postnatal development of molar tooth roots and periodontal tissues.

Regulatory mechanisms of Hertwig׳s epithelial root sheath formation and anomaly correlated with root length.

Teeth are composed of two domains, the enamel-covered crown and cementum-covered root. The mechanism for determining the transition from crown to root is important for understanding root anomaly diseases. Hertwig׳s epithelial root sheath (HERS) is derived from the dental epithelium and is known to drive the growth of root dentin and periodontal tissue.

Stem cell sources for tooth regeneration: current status and future prospects.

Stem cells are capable of renewing themselves through cell division and have the remarkable ability to differentiate into many different types of cells. They therefore have the potential to become a central tool in regenerative medicine. During the last decade, advances in tissue engineering and stem cell-based tooth regeneration have provided realistic and attractive means of replacing lost or damaged teeth.