Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Ryuhei Hayashi, Toru Okubo, Yuji Kudo, Yuki Ishikawa, Tsutomu Imaizumi, Kenji Suzuki, Shun Shibata, Tomohiko Katayama, Sung-Joon Park, Robert D. Young, Andrew J. Quantock, Kohji Nishida
Summary: This study identifies cells with characteristics of lacrimal gland primordia in three-dimensional eye-like organoids cultured from human pluripotent stem cells. These cells form a lacrimal-gland-like tissue organoid with ducts and acini through budding and branching when isolated by cell sorting and grown under defined conditions. The organoids originate from multipotent ocular surface epithelial stem cells and exhibit similarities to native lacrimal glands in morphology, immunolabeling characteristics, and gene expression patterns. When transplanted adjacent to the eyes of recipient rats, the organoids undergo functional maturation, developing lumina and producing tear-film proteins.
Article
Developmental Biology
Ayan T. Ray, Philippe Soriano
Summary: Loss of FGF signaling leads to defects in salivary gland branching. Disruption of Fgfr1 and Fgfr2 expression in salivary gland epithelial cells reveals their coordinated function in regulating branching. Non-canonical FGF signaling mechanisms involving cell-cell and cell-matrix adhesion play a role in salivary gland branching morphogenesis.
Review
Cell Biology
Matthew R. Jones, Lei Chong, Saverio Bellusci
Summary: The development of airway branching relies on the coordination of various biological and physical factors across different spatial scales, with the Fgf10/Fgfr2b signaling pathway playing a key role. While fine reviews on molecular mechanisms related to branching morphogenesis have been published, a comprehensive review covering all major factors involved in branching and the role of Fgf10/Fgfr2b is lacking. This review aims to summarize existing literature on airway branching morphogenesis, emphasizing the impact of biophysical and mechanical forces, extracellular matrix remodeling, and other pulmonary networks on the process.
FRONTIERS IN CELL AND DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Polymer Science
Sang-woo Lee, Junchul Kim, Xin Cong, Guang-Yan Yu, Ji Hyun Ryu, Kyungpyo Park
Summary: This study investigated the use of surface immobilization of HA derivatives to enhance the survival and bioactivity of eSGM feeder cells, finding that HA-CA showed the highest efficiency in promoting growth of embryonic submandibular gland and enhancing the production of growth factors EGF and FGF7. The clustering of CD44 at cell membrane is identified as a key mechanism for increased EGF expression in eSGM cells.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Marit H. Aure, Jennifer M. Symonds, Carlos U. Villapudua, Joshua T. Dodge, Sabine Werner, Wendy M. Knosp, Matthew P. Hoffman
Summary: The study reveals the crucial role of FGFR2 in salivary gland development and differentiation, specifically in seromucous acinar cells. Additionally, the findings suggest that MEC-derived FGF7 activates FGFR2 signaling to drive acinar differentiation.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Akiko Suzuki, Kenichi Ogata, Junichi Iwata
Summary: Research focuses on the molecular mechanisms of mammalian salivary gland development, with recent studies elucidating the identity of stem cells and the process of cell fate decisions in SMGs, contributing to a deeper understanding of organ development.
CELLULAR AND MOLECULAR LIFE SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Physiology
Aya Yamada, Keigo Yoshizaki, Masaki Ishikawa, Kan Saito, Yuta Chiba, Emiko Fukumoto, Ryoko Hino, Seira Hoshikawa, Mitsuki Chiba, Takashi Nakamura, Tsutomu Iwamoto, Satoshi Fukumoto
Summary: Connexin 43 (Cx43) is an integral membrane protein that plays a crucial role in tooth development, regulating intercellular communication through gap junction activity by modulating TGF-beta 1-mediated ERK signaling and enamel formation.
FRONTIERS IN PHYSIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Developmental Biology
Jin Man Kim, YoungJu Jo, Ju Won Jung, Kyungpyo Park
Summary: The study reported a mechanogenetic role of the actomyosin complex in branching morphogenesis, revealing the importance of force distribution for promoting the branching process, and the crucial genes regulated by YAP and TAZ for the distribution of epithelial progenitor cells in epithelial organs.
Article
Physiology
Marika Caruso, Sjanie Huang, Larissa Mourao, Colinda L. G. J. Scheele
Summary: Branching morphogenesis is the process of forming branched structures in organs such as the lung and kidney. The exact mechanisms behind branch elongation and bifurcation are still not well understood. This study presents an improved culture method for developing complex branched mammary organoids, which offers new possibilities for studying branching in the mammary gland.
FRONTIERS IN PHYSIOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Meng Zhang, Zhen-Zhen Wang, Nai-Hong Chen
Summary: Connexin 43 (Cx43) is widely distributed in mammals, especially in the cardiovascular and nervous systems. Its phosphorylation status is regulated by multiple kinases and phosphatases. Phosphorylation of Cx43 affects the permeability, electrical conductivity, and gating properties of gap junctions, influencing intercellular communication and physiological/pathological processes.
Article
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Christine Hirschhaeuser, Alessio Lissoni, Philipp Maximilian Goerge, Paul D. Lampe, Jacqueline Heger, Klaus-Dieter Schlueter, Luc Leybaert, Rainer Schulz, Kerstin Boengler
Summary: The study shows that alterations of Cx43 phosphorylation affect specific cellular functions and highlights the importance of Cx43 phosphorylation by CK1 for IPC's cardioprotection.
BASIC RESEARCH IN CARDIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Pathology
Shinsuke Fujii, Tatsufumi Fujimoto, Kana Hasegawa, Ryoko Nagano, Takuma Ishibashi, Kari J. Kurppa, Yurie Mikami, Megumi Kokura, Yudai Tajiri, Toshiro Kibe, Hiroko Wada, Naohisa Wada, Shosei Kishida, Yoshinori Higuchi, Tamotsu Kiyoshima
Summary: Sema3A plays an important role in submandibular gland (SMG) development and promotes cell growth through AKT activation. Its increased expression in adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC) suggests its involvement in SMG morphogenesis and pathogenesis.
PATHOLOGY RESEARCH AND PRACTICE
(2022)
Article
Immunology
John G. Mckendrick, Gareth-Rhys Jones, Sonia S. Elder, Erin Watson, Wouter T'Jonck, Ella Mercer, Marlene S. Magalhaes, Cecilia Rocchi, Lizi M. Hegarty, Amanda L. Johnson, Christoph Schneider, Burkhard Becher, Clare Pridans, Neil Mabbott, Zhaoyuan Liu, Florent Ginhoux, Marc Bajenoff, Rebecca Gentek, Calum C. Bain, Elaine Emmerson
Summary: Radiotherapy for head and neck cancer can damage the salivary glands and cause chronic dry mouth. Macrophages in the salivary glands play an important role in tissue repair, but their exact nature and function are not well understood. This study found two distinct types of macrophages in the salivary glands and demonstrated their essential role in clearing damaged cells and promoting tissue repair after radiation-induced injury. The depletion of macrophages associated with gland epithelium led to reduced saliva production. These findings suggest that manipulating macrophages could be a potential therapeutic strategy to minimize salivary gland dysfunction after radiotherapy.
SCIENCE IMMUNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Wen-Yang Hu, Parivash Afradiasbagharani, Ranli Lu, Lifeng Liu, Lynn A. Birch, Gail S. Prins
Summary: The MEK/ERK and Rho/Rho kinase signaling pathways play crucial roles in prostate growth and branching during development, with MLCK-regulated MLC-P potentially serving as a central downstream target of both pathways in regulating prostate morphogenesis. Experiments demonstrated that inhibiting these pathways significantly inhibited prostate growth and blocked branching morphogenesis, highlighting their importance in prostate development.
Review
Dentistry, Oral Surgery & Medicine
Milos Marinkovic, Olivia N. Tran, Hanzhou Wang, Parveez Abdul-Azees, David D. Dean, Xiao-Dong Chen, Chih-Ko Yeh
Summary: Salivary gland dysfunction can cause severe oral and systemic diseases and compromise quality of life. Current treatments are palliative, but transplantation of allogeneic cells and the use of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) show promising potential for restoring saliva production. However, recent findings suggest that allogeneic MSCs may not be immune-privileged after transplantation, whereas autologous MSCs could be a viable solution. Advances in in vitro expansion of autologous MSCs on tissue-specific matrices offer a new therapeutic approach for restoring SG function.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ORAL SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Peipei Zhang, Masaki Ishikawa, Andrew Doyle, Takashi Nakamura, Bing He, Yoshihiko Yamada
Summary: Panx3 regulates skin development by modulating the transcription factor Epfn. Panx3(-/-) mice show impaired skin development and delayed hair follicle regeneration, while Panx3 overexpression promotes HaCaT cell differentiation.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2021)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Keiji Masuda, Xu Han, Hiroki Kato, Hiroshi Sato, Yu Zhang, Xiao Sun, Yuta Hirofuji, Haruyoshi Yamaza, Aya Yamada, Satoshi Fukumoto
Summary: Dental pulp stem cells, derived from multipotent neural crest cells, have high proliferative capacity and multipotent potential for various applications. Stem cells donated by patients with genetic disorders can serve as disease models. Ethical considerations and potential applications of these stem cells donated and reused are worth exploring.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Cell Biology
Shahad Al Thamin, Yuta Chiba, Keigo Yoshizaki, Tian Tian, LingLing Jia, Xin Wang, Kan Saito, Jiyao Li, Aya Yamada, Satoshi Fukumoto
Summary: Epithelial-mesenchymal interactions are crucial for tooth development, with growth factors playing critical roles in cellular differentiation. TGF-beta 1 was found to induce AmeloD expression and ameloblast differentiation through ERK1/2 and Smad2/3 phosphorylation mechanisms. These findings provide new insights into the regulatory mechanisms of tooth development.
JOURNAL OF CELLULAR PHYSIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Kyoko Tsuji, Naoto Haruyama, Shunsuke Nomura, Naohisa Murata, Keigo Yoshizaki, Takeshi Mitsuyasu, Hiroyuki Nakano, Seiji Nakamura, Yoshihide Mori, Ichiro Takahashi
Summary: This study categorized and analyzed craniofacial morphology in patients with isolated cleft palate (ICP), identifying three characteristic morphological patterns. Understanding these typical characteristics can improve diagnostic categorization and orthodontic treatment planning for patients with ICP.
Article
Cell Biology
LingLing Jia, Yuta Chiba, Kan Saito, Keigo Yoshizaki, Tian Tian, Xu Han, Kanji Mizuta, Mitsuki Chiba, Xin Wang, Shahad Al Thamin, Aya Yamada, Satoshi Fukumoto
Summary: AmeloD is demonstrated to be a critical transcription factor for ameloblast differentiation, with AmeloD-KO mice showing enamel hypoplasia and downregulation of Sox21 and ameloblast differentiation marker genes. Overexpression of AmeloD can upregulate Sox21 and ameloblast differentiation marker genes, indicating its importance in amelogenesis.
JOURNAL OF CELLULAR PHYSIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Cell Biology
Kokoro Iwata, Keita Kawarabayashi, Keigo Yoshizaki, Tian Tian, Kan Saito, Asuna Sugimoto, Rika Kurogoushi, Aya Yamada, Akihito Yamamoto, Yasuei Kudo, Naozumi Ishimaru, Satoshi Fukumoto, Tsutomu Iwamoto
Summary: The study demonstrated the role of a newly identified ECM protein, Vwde, in regulating cell behaviors and enamel formation in teeth. Knockout mice lacking Vwde showed enamel hypoplasia phenotype.
JOURNAL OF CELLULAR PHYSIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Cell Biology
Kouhei Shimizu, Min Gi, Shugo Suzuki, Brian J. North, Asami Watahiki, Satoshi Fukumoto, John M. Asara, Fuminori Tokunaga, Wenyi Wei, Hiroyuki Inuzuka
Summary: Acetylation of MCL1 is a critical post-translational modification that enhances its oncogenic function, promoting apoptosis evasion of cancer cells and displaying therapeutic potential.
Article
Physiology
Aya Yamada, Keigo Yoshizaki, Masaki Ishikawa, Kan Saito, Yuta Chiba, Emiko Fukumoto, Ryoko Hino, Seira Hoshikawa, Mitsuki Chiba, Takashi Nakamura, Tsutomu Iwamoto, Satoshi Fukumoto
Summary: Connexin 43 (Cx43) is an integral membrane protein that plays a crucial role in tooth development, regulating intercellular communication through gap junction activity by modulating TGF-beta 1-mediated ERK signaling and enamel formation.
FRONTIERS IN PHYSIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Pediatrics
Manami Tadano, Aya Yamada, Yuriko Maruya, Ryoko Hino, Tomoaki Nakamura, Seira Hoshikawa, Satoshi Fukumoto, Kan Saito
Summary: The novel hypersensitivity inhibitor, Bio Coat Ca, has shown promising results in improving hypomineralization and hypersensitivity of teeth, with visible effects after several applications.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Manami Tadano, Tomoaki Nakamura, Seira Hoshikawa, Ryoko Hino, Yuriko Maruya, Aya Yamada, Satoshi Fukumoto, Kan Saito
Summary: This study investigated the adhesion rates of resin-based desensitizers and found that the desensitizer containing C-MET and MDCP had significantly higher adhesion rates. Monthly follow-ups and reevaluation are recommended as these agents have less than 10% adherence and almost no sealing effect after 4 weeks.
Article
Dentistry, Oral Surgery & Medicine
Aya Yamada, Keigo Yoshizaki, Kan Saito, Masaki Ishikawa, Yuta Chiba, Seira Hoshikawa, Mitsuki Chiba, Ryoko Hino, Yuriko Maruya, Hiroshi Sato, Keiji Masuda, Haruyoshi Yamaza, Takashi Nakamura, Tsutomu Iwamoto, Satoshi Fukumoto
Summary: Epithelial-mesenchymal interactions play a crucial role in tooth development, particularly in ameloblast differentiation. This study identified dental mesenchymal cells as important for the differentiation of dental epithelial cells into ameloblasts. Moreover, the researchers induced dental pulp stem cell-like cells using the small molecule compound BIO and investigated the mechanism behind ameloblast differentiation.
JOURNAL OF ORAL BIOSCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Dentistry, Oral Surgery & Medicine
Manami Tadano, Yasunori Matsunaga, Kan Saito, Yuria Suzuki, Tomoaki Nakamura, Seira Hoshikawa, Mitsuki Chiba, Ryoko Hino, Yuriko Maruya, Emiko Fukumoto, Aya Yamada, Satoshi Fukumoto
Summary: This study aimed to explore the possibility of detecting impacted teeth in the upper midline by analyzing facial morphometric measurements. The study included 260 children aged 2-13 years, and facial photographs were taken along with a ruler to measure facial morphology. The results showed that each measurement point increased with time, and there was a correlation between age and distance. The ratio of the inner-canthal distance to the outer-canthal distance was found to be associated with the presence of impacted teeth, indicating that this ratio can be used to predict the presence of impacted teeth.
PEDIATRIC DENTAL JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Dentistry, Oral Surgery & Medicine
Kifu Miyata, Yuta Chiba, Triana Marchelina, Saori Inada, Sae Oka, Kan Saito, Aya Yamada, Satoshi Fukumoto
Summary: This study establishes a novel strategy for identifying responsible genes of dental anomalies by integrating single-cell RNA-sequence (scRNA-seq) and Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man (OMIM) database. The results show that differentially expressed genes in dental epithelial cells are responsible for inherited diseases that exhibit dental anomalies. This study contributes to the identification of responsible genes for dental anomalies.
PEDIATRIC DENTAL JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Xiao Sun, Hiroki Kato, Hiroshi Sato, Michiko Torio, Xu Han, Yu Zhang, Yuta Hirofuji, Takahiro A. Kato, Yasunari Sakai, Shouichi Ohga, Satoshi Fukumoto, Keiji Masuda
Summary: Research suggests that mutations in the TRPV4 gene can affect brain development, and mitochondria may be a potential therapeutic target to alleviate the symptoms associated with TRPV4-related diseases.
BIOCHEMISTRY AND BIOPHYSICS REPORTS
(2021)