Human stem cells have been used to grow miniature gland structures that were successfully deployed for salivary gland regeneration in mice.
Stem cells can be easily extracted from human sources such as blood or skin, which researchers from the University at Buffalo, New York, said makes them attractive for therapeutic applications.
The researchers transplanted the organoids into the salivary glands of 12 immunodeficient mice, which allowed for the effects to be studied without immune rejection.
Stelios Andreadis, co-principal investigator on the study, said his team was guiding stem cells through a process similar to how salivary glands form during human development. After more than 40 days, the transplanted organoids contained major gland cell types, including saliva-producing cells.
He continued: ‘These newly formed glands looked similar to native salivary glands and even developed lumens, or the hollow spaces where saliva would normally flow.’
Human salivary glands may be damaged by radiation used during cancer treatment or autoimmune conditions such as Sjögren’s disease, resulting in chronic dry mouth. Andreadis suggested that the stem cell derived glands could be implanted into an individual’s mouth to replace the damaged ones.
He added: ‘Our findings suggest that salivary gland organoids may hold promise for studying salivary gland development, disease progression and drug screening, as well as for development of cell therapies for salivary gland regeneration.’
Are there other applications for stem cells in oral health?
Researchers have previously dubbed whole tooth regeneration with stem cells ‘a realistic aim’. A review from the Sharad Pawar Dental College and Hospital said that regeneration of damaged dentine and pulp using stem cells had already been proved possible.
However, it also identified immunological rejection as a key barrier against using stem cells to regenerate whole teeth, particularly when embryonic cells were used. This did not rule out the use of stem cells from other sources – transplant rejection was uncommon when adult stem cells taken from organs such as tooth pulp or umbilical cords were used.
Additionally, researchers from the University of Washington School of Dentistry succeeded in creating stem-cell-based organoids which secrete proteins that form dental enamel in 2023.
Professor Hai Zhang, co-author of the study, called this a ‘critical first step’ in the development of stem cell-based dental treatments.
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