A comprehensive single cell atlas of human carious teeth

What is it about?

Carious lesions are bacteria-caused destructions of the mineralized dental tissues, marked by the simultaneous activation of immune responses and regenerative events within the soft dental pulp tissue. While major molecular players in tooth decay have been uncovered during the past years, a detailed map of the molecular and cellular landscape of the diseased pulp is still missing. In this study we used single-cell RNA sequencing analysis, supplemented with immunostaining, to generate a comprehensive single-cell atlas of the pulp of carious human teeth. Our data demonstrated modifications in the various cell clusters composing the pulp of carious teeth, such as immune cells, mesenchymal stem cells, and fibroblasts when compared to the pulp of healthy human teeth. Active immune response in the carious pulp tissue is accompanied by specific changes in the fibroblast and mesenchymal stem cell populations. These changes include upregulation of genes encoding extracellular matrix components, including collagen and fibronectin. Assessment of the fibres of fibronectin under mechanical strain conditions showed a significant tension reduction in carious pulp tissues, compared to the healthy ones.

Featured Image

Photo by Kamal Hoseinianzade on Unsplash

Photo by Kamal Hoseinianzade on Unsplash

Why is it important?

The present data demonstrate molecular, cellular and biomechanical alterations in the pulp of human carious teeth, indicative of extensive extracellular matrix remodelling, reminiscent of fibrosis observed in other organs.

Perspectives