A single-cell atlas of human teeth

Teeth exert fundamental functions related to mastication and speech. Despite their great biomedical importance, an overall picture of their cellular and molecular composition is still missing. In this study, we have mapped the transcriptional landscape of the various cell populations that compose human teeth at single-cell resolution, and we analyzed in deeper detail their stem cell populations and their microenvironment. Our study identified great cellular heterogeneity in the dental pulp and the periodontium. Unexpectedly, we found that the molecular signatures of the stem cell populations were very similar, while their respective microenvironments strongly diverged. Our findings suggest that the microenvironmental specificity is a potential source for functional differences between highly similar stem cells located in the various tooth compartments and open new perspectives toward cell-based dental therapeutic approaches.

Automated summary

This study mapped the transcriptional landscape of various cell populations in human teeth at single-cell resolution, analyzing their stem cell populations and microenvironment in detail. The research revealed significant cellular heterogeneity in dental pulp and periodontium, with similar molecular signatures of stem cell populations but divergent microenvironments. The findings suggest that microenvironmental specificity could be a key factor in functional differences between highly similar stem cells, potentially influencing cell-based dental therapeutic approaches.