WESTWOOD—A new way to produce cells with stem cell-like characteristics from human skin on the epidermis has been discovered by Researchers from the UCLA School of Dentistry. The team has been investigating how stem cells can be used to regenerate dental tissues.

Dr. Mo K. Kang, DDS, PhD, Associate Professor at UCLA. Photo courtesy of University of California.

Based upon the study published in the November 4 edition of the peer-reviewed Journal of Biological Chemistry, the skin cells Keratinocytes form the outer layer of skin can be cultured from dead skin tissues or biopsy specimens.  The new found gene discovered by researchers is ?Np63a a highly synthesized gene in regenerating cells within tissues.

In a statement released from Dr. No-Hee Park, Dean of the UCLA School of Dentistry and co-author on the study is excited about the new findings. “The UCLA School of Dentistry is very proud to be at the forefront of this research inquiry, which may facilitate future advances in regenerative dentistry and medicine,” said Park.

According to the new discovery bringing the gene ?Np63a to the skin Keratinocytes will make it lose its skin cell characteristics and separate to resemble mesenchymal stem cells (MSC). The MSCs begin to act as an internal repair system that renews cells needed for the tissues regeneration and homeostasis which is currently being studied for various regenerative therapies.

The conversion of the Keratinocytes into the mesenchymal-like cells undergoes a process called epithelial-mesenchymal transition. This has been the first study conducted that truly utilizes the gene ?Np63a that will start the process within the human skin. The Keratinocytes transformed cells produce multi-potent stem cell characteristics.

Mesenchymal and stem cell characteristics have been renamed induced mesenchymal stem cells because the skin cells transformed by the ?Np63a can be induced to acquire the mesenchymal and stem cell characteristics. It has also been proven that iMSCs can be triggered to produce bone-marrow like tissues or become fatty tissues in a laboratory setting.

In a statement released by Dr. Mo K. Kang, Research team member and Jack A. Weichman Chair of Endodontics at the UCLA School of Dentistry he goes into detail about the study and believes the new discovery has great benefits toward human health. “Since iMSCs may be obtained by taking a small-punch biopsy of skin tissues from patients, these cells are an easily accessible, patient’s specific source of stem-cells, which can be used for regenerative purposes,” said Kang.

There are currently stem-cell based therapies underway to treat such serious health illnesses such as heart disease, diabetes, neuronal disorders and liver disease. A strong correlation of aging can be linked to these diseases. During the aging process endogenous MSCs tissues such as bone marrow, fat tissues and dental pulp lose their regenerative potential.

“This new approach may be useful, especially for geriatric patients or individuals with limited therapeutic value of their endogenous stem cells,” said Kang.

This research study was funded by the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research and the Jack A. Weichman Endowed Fund.

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