Sequential stimulation with different concentrations of BMP4 promotes the differentiation of human embryonic stem cells into dental epithelium with potential for tooth formation

BACKGROUND: Tooth loss caused by caries or injuries has a negative effect on human health; thus, it is important to develop a reliable method of tooth regeneration. Research on tooth regeneration has mainly focused on mouse pluripotent stem cells, mouse embryonic stem cells, and adult stem cells from various sources in mice, whereas little has examined the differentiation of human embryonic stem (hES) cells into dental epithelium (DE) and odontogenic potential in vivo. METHODS: In this study, we induced hES cells to differentiate into dental epithelium using different concentrations of bone morphogenetic protein 4 (BMP4). With 1 pM BMP4, the hES cells differentiated into oral ectoderm (OE). These cells were then stimulated with 30 pM BMP4. Quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and immunofluorescence showed the differentiation of OE and DE. The DE generated was mixed with embryonic day 14.5 mouse dental mesenchyme (DM) and transplanted into the renal capsules of nude mice. Thirty days later, the resulting tooth-like structures were examined by micro-computed tomography and hematoxylin and eosin staining. RESULTS: After 4 days of 1 pM BMP4 stimulation, Pitx1-positive OE formed. qRT-PCR and immunofluorescence revealed that induction with 30 pM BMP4 for 2 days caused the OE to differentiate into Pitx2/Dlx2/AMBN-positive DE-like cells. These cells also expressed β-catenin and p-Smad1/5/8, which are key proteins in the Wnt/β-catenin and Bmp signaling pathways, respectively. Thirty days after in vivo transplantation, six teeth with enamel and dentin had formed on the kidney. CONCLUSIONS: These results show that hES cells differentiated into DE after sequential stimulation with different concentrations of BMP4, and the DE thus generated showed odontogenic potential. ELECTRONIC SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIAL: The online version of this article (10.1186/s13287-019-1378-7) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.