Brain-Like Cells From Teeth

By growing them in an environment that favored the development of brain cells, scientists have coaxed dental pulp stem cells into neuron-like cells.

AsianScientist (May 7, 2014) – Researchers have discovered that stem cells taken from teeth can grow to resemble brain cells, suggesting they could one day be used in the brain as a therapy for stroke.

“Stem cells from teeth have great potential to grow into new brain or nerve cells, and this could potentially assist with treatments of brain disorders, such as stroke,” says Dr. Kylie Ellis, Commercial Development Manager with the University’s commercial arm, Adelaide Research & Innovation (ARI).

Ellis conducted this research as part of her physiology PhD studies at the University of Adelaide’s Center for Stem Cell Research, before making the step into commercialization. The results of her work have been published in the journal Stem Cell Research & Therapy.

“The reality is, treatment options available to the thousands of stroke patients every year are limited,” Ellis says. “The primary drug treatment available must be administered within hours of a stroke and many people don’t have access within that timeframe, because they often can’t seek help for some time after the attack.

“Ultimately, we want to be able to use a patient’s own stem cells for tailor-made brain therapy that doesn’t have the host rejection issues commonly associated with cell-based therapies. Another advantage is that dental pulp stem cell therapy may provide a treatment option available months or even years after the stroke has occurred,” she says.

Ellis and her colleagues have been working on a laboratory-based model for actual treatment in humans. As part of this research Ellis found that stem cells derived from teeth developed into cells that closely resembled neurons.

“We can do this by providing an environment for the cells that is as close to a normal brain environment as possible, so that instead of becoming cells for teeth they become brain cells,” Ellis says.

“What we developed wasn’t identical to normal neurons, but the new cells shared very similar properties to neurons. They also formed complex networks and communicated through simple electrical activity, like you might see between cells in the developing brain.”

This work with dental pulp stem cells opens up the potential for modeling many more common brain disorders in the laboratory, which could help in developing new treatments and techniques for patients.

The article can be found at: Ellis et al. (2014) Neurogenic Potential of Dental Pulp Stem Cells Isolated from Murine Incisors.

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Source: University of Adelaide; Photo: Steven Depolo/Flickr/CC.

Disclaimer: This article does not necessarily reflect the views of AsianScientist or its staff.

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