Dental Stem Cells Show Exceptional Ability to Become Nerve Cells

Dental stem cells showing great potential to become nerve cells

A recent study published in PLOS ONE explored how mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) (the type found in dental pulp) can be encouraged to grow into cells that closely resemble nerve cells.

Researchers used a two-step process with specific growth factors and compared dental pulp stem cells to a standard type of lab-grown cell already used in neuroscience research. What they found was striking: the dental stem cells not only took on the shape and behavior of nerve-like cells, they did so in a way that suggests they may be especially good at this transformation.

The cells began expressing the same proteins and chemical signals that neurons use to communicate. Even more importantly, they showed early signs of electrical activity — one of the defining features of functioning nerve cells. The study also noted that the dental stem cells seemed to be particularly inclined to become sensory neurons, the kind that carry information like touch and pain.

This makes them a reliable model for researchers studying nerve development and offers exciting possibilities for exploring how damaged nerves might be repaired in the future.

Read the full article here: https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371%2Fjournal.pone.0277134

What This Means for You

Because dental stem cells show a natural strength for becoming nerve-like cells, having these cells stored could open the door to future treatments aimed at repairing sensory nerves or restoring lost function. This research highlights how stem cells from baby teeth and wisdom teeth may one day play a role in therapies that reach far beyond dentistry and into areas like neurology and regenerative medicine.