Journal of Dental Pathology and Medicine
Open Access

The field of regenerative medicine has witnessed remarkable advancements in recent years, and one of the most promising breakthroughs is the utilization of dental stem cells for neural regeneration. Traditionally, dental tissues have been associated with oral health and dentistry [1], but recent research has revealed their extraordinary potential to contribute to the repair and regeneration of neural tissues. This groundbreaking approach represents a new dawn in medicine, offering hope for the treatment of neurological conditions that were once considered untreatable. In this article, we explore the fascinating world of dental stem cells and their transformative role in neural regeneration.

The nerve tissue constitutes a particular case where a big social demand for new therapies aimed at its restoration exists. Currently, there is no effective treatment for many devastating diseases and conditions that involve a destruction of nerve tissue, such as brain or spinal cord injury, stroke, Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, among others [2]. As the nervous system controls the rest of bodily functions, these neural damages end to be, both physically and psychologically, highly invalidating for the affected patients, representing a huge social burden for both them and their relatives. In spite of the great interest in neural restoration therapies for brain diseases, nerve tissue presents inherent difficulties for its effective regeneration. The central nervous system in an adult human individual contains billions of neurons. Each neuron in turn can receive hundreds of synaptic connections [3].

In spite of the great interest in neural restoration therapies for brain diseases, nerve tissue presents inherent difficulties for its effective regeneration. The central nervous system in an adult human individual contains billions of neurons. Each neuron in turn can receive hundreds of synaptic connections. From the medical point of view, regenerating this complex pattern of neuronal circuitry constitutes an extraordinary challenge. As an additional complication, when nerve tissue is destroyed, glial cells around tend to accumulate and form a fibrous glial scar that prevents growing nerve fibers from penetrating and thus reinnervating the affected area.

Probably some of the most available and best-characterized human stem cells to date are the multipotent mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), which can be isolated from the umbilical cord, the bone marrow, and adipose tissue, among others. MSCs have a mesodermal origin, and they are the forming precursors of the majority of connective tissues in the organism, therefore constituting ideal candidates for their use in connective tissue regeneration strategies [4]. Given their availability,abundance, and well-established methods of isolation, the potential of MSCs to generate neural cell phenotypes has been extensively tested. Although this neural differentiation step involves breaching a major cellular differentiation barrier, the one that separates mesoderm from neuroectoderm lineages, this extent has been reported to be possible in numerous studies. However, very serious doubts were raised as to whether the cells obtained in this way correspond indeed to genuine functional neural/glial cells or are just artefactual. Some neural differentiation procedures involve permanent genetic manipulation of MSCs by gene transfection, which would be undesirable from a clinical point of view [5 ].

Although evidence that mesodermal MSCs can indeed trans differentiate to neurons and integrate in an existing neural network is still to be provided, transplanted MSCs and other stem cells may contribute to nerve tissue regeneration by other mechanisms, such as the secretion of anti-inflammatory cytokines, and a big array of growth factors promoting cell survival and angiogenesis [6]. Transplantation of MSC to neural tissue has succeeded in ameliorating the functional outcome in several animal models of brain injury, stroke autoimmune and neurodegenerative diseases.

Dental stem cells: The hidden treasures

Dental tissues, such as dental pulp, periodontal ligament, and dental follicle, harbor a unique reservoir of stem cells known as dental stem cells. These cells possess characteristics similar to other wellknown types of stem cells, like mesenchymal stem cells, but what sets them apart is their origin from neural crest cells during embryonic development. This origin is crucial because it equips dental stem cells with the potential to differentiate into a wide range of cell types, including neurons and glial cells, which are essential for neural tissue repair [7].

Dental stem cells as a source for neural regeneration

The potential applications of dental stem cells in neural regeneration are nothing short of groundbreaking. These remarkable cells can be extracted from teeth, which are often discarded or overlooked as a valuable source of regenerative material. Dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs), in particular, have been at the forefront of research due to their remarkable regenerative capabilities.

Neurogenesis: DPSCs have shown the ability to differentiate into neural progenitor cells and neurons, which are vital for repairing damaged neural tissues in conditions such as spinal cord injuries, stroke, and neurodegenerative diseases [8 ].

Immunomodulation: Dental stem cells also exhibit immunomodulatory properties that can reduce inflammation and enhance the regenerative environment, making them even more suitable for neural tissue repair.

Promising results: Preclinical studies have demonstrated the efficacy of dental stem cells in animal models, showing significant improvements in neural function after transplantation [9].

Clinical Applications

The potential applications of dental stem cells in neural regeneration are vast and include conditions like Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, multiple sclerosis, and spinal cord injuries. While clinical trials are still in the early stages, the preliminary results are highly promising, raising hope for patients suffering from these debilitating conditions.

Challenges and Future Prospects

While the use of dental stem cells in neural regeneration holds immense promise, it is essential to address certain challenges, including standardizing isolation and culture techniques, ensuring safety, and navigating regulatory hurdles. Researchers and healthcare professionals are working diligently to overcome these obstacles.

Moreover, the synergy between dental and neurological disciplines is rapidly evolving. Collaborations between dentists, neurologists, and stem cell researchers are essential to harness the full potential of dental stem cells in clinical applications [10 ].

Conclusion

Dental stem cells in neural regeneration represent a new dawn in medicine, offering hope and potential treatments for neurological conditions that have long eluded effective therapies. This interdisciplinary approach, uniting the fields of dentistry and neurology, has the power to change lives, restore function, and improve the quality of life for countless individuals. As research continues to progress and clinical trials move forward, the transformative potential of dental stem cells in neural regeneration is on the verge of becoming a medical reality, marking an exciting and promising chapter in the history of medicine.

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