Human Hertwig’s Epithelial Root Sheath Cells Play Crucial Roles in Cementum Formation

Hertwig’s epithelial root sheath (HERS) cells are a unique population of epithelial cells in the periodontal ligament compartment. To date, their functional role has not been fully elucidated. Our hypothesis was that HERS cells may be involved in regulating differentiation of periodontal ligament st...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of dental research 2007-07, Vol.86 (7), p.594-599
Main Authors: Sonoyama, W., Seo, B.-M., Yamaza, T., Shi, S.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adolescent
Adult
Animals
Cell Differentiation
Cells, Cultured
Cementogenesis - physiology
Dentistry
Epithelial Cells - cytology
Epithelial Cells - physiology
Epithelial Cells - transplantation
Humans
Immunophenotyping
Mesoderm - cytology
Mice
Mice, Nude
Periodontal Ligament - cytology
Stem Cells - physiology
Transforming Growth Factor beta1 - physiology
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Summary:Hertwig’s epithelial root sheath (HERS) cells are a unique population of epithelial cells in the periodontal ligament compartment. To date, their functional role has not been fully elucidated. Our hypothesis was that HERS cells may be involved in regulating differentiation of periodontal ligament stem cells (PDLSCs) and forming cementum in vivo. In this study, we found that HERS cells may be capable of promoting PDLSC differentiation and undergoing epithelial-mesenchymal transition in vitro. Immunohistochemical staining, Western blot analysis, a transwell co-culture system, and in vivo transplantation were used to characterize the interplay between HERS cells and PDLSCs, as well as the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) of HERS cells. TGFβ1 was capable of inducing the epithelial-mesenchymal transition of HERS cells through activating the PI3K/AKT pathway. Furthermore, HERS cells were able to form cementum-like tissue when transplanted into immunocompromised mice. Abbreviations: bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell, BMMSC; bone sialoprotein, BSP; hydroxyapatite/tricalcium phosphate, HA/TCP; Hertwig’s epithelial root sheath, HERS; osteocalcin, OCN; periodontal ligament, PDL; periodontal ligament stem cell, PDLSC; phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase, PI3K.
ISSN:0022-0345
1544-0591
DOI:10.1177/154405910708600703