Informatics Publishing Limited

M. D. Kaamini ¹

Affiliations
1 Department of Biotechnology, Amity University, Haryana, IN

Abstract

Tooth is produced by the differentiation of pluripotent cell, which in turn gives rise to the formation of the entire tooth in the jaws. The stem cells are appropriately induced using specific proteins, growth factors etc., and grown in the lab to form a bud of cells. This procedure works unique by attracting stem cells already in the person's body rather than requiring an injection of stem cells from donor. The quick recovery time and natural use of the body's own resources would make this an attractive dental treatment in one day. Amongst the various growth and transcription factors required for differentiation of these stem cells, Wnt gene also plays a major role. A number of Wnt genes are expressed in the developing teeth, with most of them restricted solely to the dental e pithelium. When tooth forming sites and tooth patterning are determined, Wnt genes are expressed in the oral epithelium except the presumptive dental epithelium. Wnt genes interact with Shh signalling to set up the ectodermal bound aries between oral and dental ectoderm, positioning the sites of tooth formation. Other Wnt genes are expressed in molar and incisor epithelium, in the enamel knot, a putative signalling center for tooth patterning. Thus unde rstanding the expression and functioning of the Wnt gene in tooth formation can pave better ways for successful tooth regeneration from stem cells in lab as this gene plays a vital signalling role during early stages of tooth development. One can expect in the near future that once a tooth is extracted, it will be possible to have it regenerated. This will be major game changer in dentalcare. It will be like not having lost the tooth at all. This project aims to study the detailed function by expression analysis for each Wnt member in tooth development from mesenchymal stem cells.

Keywords

Tooth Regeneration, Transcriptional Factors, Wnt Gene, Growth Factors

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