Induced Pluripotent Stem (iPS) Cells in Dentistry: A Review

Abstract

iPS cells are derived from somatic cells via transduction and expression of selective transcription factors. Both viral-integrating (like retroviral) and non-integrating (like, mRNA or protein-based) techniques are available for the production of iPS cells. In the field of dentistry, iPS cells have been derived from stem cells of apical papilla, dental pulp stem cells, and stem cells from exfoliated deciduous teeth, gingival and periodontal ligament fibroblasts, and buccal mucosa fibroblasts. iPS cells have the potential to differentiate into all derivatives of the 3 primary germ layers i.e. ectoderm, endoderm, and mesoderm. They are autogeneically accessible, and can produce patient-specific or disease-specific cell lines without the issue of ethical controversy. They have been successfully tested to produce mesenchymal stem cells-like cells, neural crest-like cells, ameloblasts-like cells, odontoblasts-like cells, and osteoprogenitor cells. These cells can aid in regeneration of periodontal ligament, alveolar bone, cementum, dentin-pulp complex, as well as possible Biotooth formation. However certain key issues like, epigenetic memory of iPS cells, viral-transduction, tumorgenesis and teratoma formation need to be overcome, before they can be successfully used in clinical practice. The article discusses the sources, pros and cons, and current applications of iPS cells in dentistry with an emphasis on encountered challenges and their solutions.

Ips Progression a Decade Devoted

“…Such an "epigenetic memory" of the donor tissue could be reset by differentiation and serial reprogramming, or by treatment of iPSC with chromatin modifying drugs. Another experiment corroborated this conclusion that in a given iPS clone DNA methylation patterns could indicate the origin of the former phenotype [2,14]. Furthermore, undifferentiated iPS remaining at site of interest expand into a teratoma [2,9,15].…”

“…Another experiment corroborated this conclusion that in a given iPS clone DNA methylation patterns could indicate the origin of the former phenotype [2,14]. Furthermore, undifferentiated iPS remaining at site of interest expand into a teratoma [2,9,15]. Teratoma has become the gold standard assay to define bona fide induced pluripotent stem cells capable of generating tumoral disorganized structures containing tissues representing the three germ layers.…”

“…Feeder cells for iPSC maintenance in culture have impeded the translation of this innovative technology into clinical therapy because of their xenogeneic constituents. To overcome these ethical barriers, use of synthetic coatings and bioreactors that support proliferation of iPS in xenogeneic-free environment have been suggested [2,61]. Generation of iPS from adult adipose stem cells in feeder free environment is made possible by switching to mTeSR1 culture medium [62].…”

“…Genetic manipulation of somatic cells led to the discovery of iPS which could differentiate into all three primary germ layers (endoderm, ectoderm and mesoderm) [1,2]. IPS generated by the OSKM transcription factors appeared morphologically similar to eSC and exhibited similar gene expression profiles and selfrenewal characteristics [3-6,].…”

“…iPS can be identified by immunohistochemistry, RT-PCR and expression of immunological cell surface markers such as stage specific embryonic antigens (SSEA), Tra-1-60 and Tra-181 [1,7] Benefits of iPS are due to cells being highly proliferative, biocompatible and universally accessible. iPS have aided in disease remodeling "disease-in-a-dish", drug screening and designing tailored therapies for individual patients [2,8,9]. For therapeutic purposes disease specific iPS of any lineage can be generated [1,9].…”