Oral cavity, which is the initial part of the gastrointestinal tract and a portal of entry for foods and microbes, is composed of both hard and soft tissue structures such as bones, teeth, mucosal tissues, and periodontium. A breakdown of oral health causes serious microbial infections and malnutrition. Thus, developmental biology studies focusing on the applications of stem cells as a tool for tissue engineering and regenerative therapy for oral cavity have attracted medical and scientific attention. Indeed, early studies have stated that craniofacial neural crest cells (NCCs) that originate from the dorsal neural tube mainly form the oral tissues. Subsequent researches identified its progeny cells as mesenchymal stromal/stem cells (MSCs) in the oral cavity. The application of such oral tissue stem cells seems promising for the regeneration of periodontal tissue, alveolar bones, and mucosal structures lost due to congenital anomalies, trauma, and infectious diseases. However, despite the advances in our understanding of the stem cells, scientific endeavor to establish a promising regenerative therapy stands still.
Accordingly, the current Research Topic intends to deepen our understanding of the cellular biology of oral stem cells, including NCCs, MSCs, skeletal stem cells, dental pulp stem cells and periodontal ligament stem cells. Studies exploring novel stromal stem cells that play a crucial role in developmental processes and homeostasis maintenance of the oral cavity are also encouraged. Moreover, we will aim to update the recent 3D cell culture systems such as organoids and organ-on-a-chip that can emulate development and pathophysiological conditions of the oral cavity. Finally, we also welcome studies on culture techniques regulating stem cells differentiation/function that will lead to novel regenerative cell therapies.
Following the success of the first volume
Stem Cells in Oral Cavity: From Development to Regeneration, this Research Topic will deepen our knowledge of stem cells in the oral cavity and progress the development of novel promising regenerative therapy.
To draw a comprehensive picture of the development and regeneration of the oral cavity, developmental biology, stem cells, bone metabolism, mucosal system, tissue engineering, and dental studies are welcome to the collection. The continuation of this Research Topic also focuses on oral tissue regenerative therapy, including teeth, alveolar bone, periodontal tissue, dental pulp, muscles, salivary glands, and nerves, using multipotent stem cells or other somatic stem cells. Additionally, studies concerning cancer stem cells in the oral cavity are welcome. Specific subtopics include, but are not limited to:
• Neural crest cells
• Mesenchymal stromal/stem cells
• Skeletal stem cells
• Oral stem cells (dental pulp stem cells/periodontal ligament stem cells/dental follicle cells)
• Cancer stem cells
• Cell differentiation
• Signal transduction
• Oral pathophysiology
• Technological advances in 3D cell culture
• Regenerative cell transplantation therapy