# Identification and Characterization of Endogenous Dental Pulp Stem Cells

> **NIH NIH R21** · ADA FORSYTH INSTITUTE, INC. · 2022 · $248,750

## Abstract

Title
Identification and characterization of endogenous dental pulp stem cells
Abstract
The goal of this proposal is to identify and characterize endogenous dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs) in adult
mice molars. Although continuously growing mouse incisors have been used as a model system to
characterize dental stem cells, endogenous DPSCs within the molars remain understudied. Unlike incisors,
mouse molars are not continuously growing and resemble human teeth. Therefore, it is crucial for the field of
stem cell biology as well as dental pulp regeneration therapy to identify and characterize endogenous DPSCs
isolated from the molars. To conduct this research we have developed a mouse model in which Axin2+ dental
pulp cells in molars are genetically labeled. Our preliminary assessment shows that Axin2+ DPSCs are
capable of self-renewing and differentiating into mature odontoblasts for a year in vivo. In addition, the
transplanted dental pulp cells are capable regenerate pulp-like tissue. This initial discovery shows a difference
in the type of tissues regenerated from other adult stem cells and DPSCs, suggesting their unique cellular
plasticity present in endogenous DPSCs. In this application, we will test if Axin2-expressing DPSCs can meet
the criteria of adult stem cells. We will also examine the stem cells properties at a single cell level. The
regenerative ability and cellular plasticity of the transplanted endogenous DPSCs will be carefully assessed.
Potential heterogeneity of Axin2+ DPSCs will be identified through single-cell RNA-sequence analysis and
bioinformatics analysis. The completion of this proposal has outstanding potential to advance our knowledge
base of endogenous DPSCs in molars, leading to novel strategies for tissue regeneration therapies.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10366016
- **Project number:** 5R21DE030619-03
- **Recipient organization:** ADA FORSYTH INSTITUTE, INC.
- **Principal Investigator:** Takamitsu Maruyama
- **Activity code:** R21 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** $248,750
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2021-06-01 → 2024-03-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10366016

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10366016, Identification and Characterization of Endogenous Dental Pulp Stem Cells (5R21DE030619-03). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-22 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10366016. Licensed CC0.

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