Fundamental research for jawbone regenerative medicine development using adipose tissue-derived stem cells

Abstract

Bone loss around the teeth and jaw can occur for a number of reasons and this can lead to deterioration of the alveolar and masticatory and aesthetic disorders. Oftentimes, this impairs quality of life. It is possible to reconstruct the lower jaw using bone harvested from the patient's body but there are limitations associated with this method. Another option is using bone marrow cancellous bone fragments containing autologous bone marrow-derived somatic stem cells (BMSCs) but, again, there are limitations. Therefore, alternative methods of jawbone reconstruction are required. Dr Goichi Matsumoto, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Kanazawa Medical University, Japan, is an expert in this area. He is exploring the potential of using adipose tissue-derived stem cells (ADSCs) in jawbone reconstruction and believes this would overcome the limitations of existing methods as well as advancing regeneration therapy. There are numerous benefits to the use of ADSCs, but in order to move forward with this it is first necessary to explore the characteristics of ADSCs in detail, this includes investigating 'the proliferation ability and multi-differentiation potential of ADSCs. This will enable high-quantity and quality ADSCs to be obtained for clinical cell-based therapy and tissue engineering. It is Matsumoto's goal to develop a new mandibular regeneration treatment that involves regenerating the mandible by locally releasing a growth factor with bone-forming ability called basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF). The researchers are also working to develop and commercialise a hybrid bone cement.