Identification of novel routes to modulate GMSC function to promote repair of gingival tissue
Lead Research Organisation:
King's College London
Department Name: Craniofacial Dev and Stem Cell Biology
Abstract
The aim of this work proposed here is to characterise gingival mesenchymal stem cells derived from healthy and inflamed gingival tissue. Cell 'stemness' will be confirmed by performing colony forming assays and by examining multi-differentiation potential, including the ability of the cells to differentiate into gingival tissue. Studies comparing gene and protein expression of stem cells derived from healthy and inflamed tissue will also be carried out, with the aim of identifying 'healthy' and 'inflamed' gingival stem cell markers and to identify pathways and networks involved. The responses of 'healthy' and 'diseased' GMSCs exposed to inflammatory triggers will also be examined and it will be determined if these responses can be modulated using inhibitors and/or activators of the key pathways identified.
People |
ORCID iD |
Paul Sharpe (Primary Supervisor) |
Publications
Caetano AJ
(2021)
Defining human mesenchymal and epithelial heterogeneity in response to oral inflammatory disease.
in eLife
Caetano AJ
(2022)
A Roadmap for the Human Oral and Craniofacial Cell Atlas.
in Journal of dental research
Caetano AJ
(2022)
Expression of periodontitis susceptibility genes in human gingiva using single-cell RNA sequencing.
in Journal of periodontal research
Studentship Projects
Project Reference | Relationship | Related To | Start | End | Student Name |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
BB/P504506/1 | 30/09/2016 | 29/03/2021 | |||
1820601 | Studentship | BB/P504506/1 | 01/11/2016 | 29/03/2021 |
Title | Heads up! Shining a light on innovations in oral health |
Description | This was an experimental arts-based programme that aimed to bring new perspectives to the Faculty of Dentistry, Oral & Craniofacial Sciences and our mission to understand disease, enhance health and restore function. Two artworks from this award contributed to this exhibition. Firstly, a collage art work of fluorescent tissue images; and a series of photographs showing materials used in this project. |
Type Of Art | Artistic/Creative Exhibition |
Year Produced | 2019 |
Impact | It served to showcase how art and science collaborations can illuminate the lived experiences of patients and clinicians, bring new perspectives to researchers, and offer innovative approaches to student education. |
URL | https://www.kcl.ac.uk/events/heads-up-shining-a-light-on-innovations-in-oral-health |
Description | Gingival mesenchymal cells are known to maintain the structural integrity of connective tissues by secreting the protein collagen and other components of the material that comprises the extracellular matrix. Additionally, their influence extends to modulating immunity and inflammation. The extent of heterogeneity within the oral mesenchyme and how specific cell types are affected during the course of disease progression are two questions that we aim to investigate in this project. To address these, we have characterised tissue specific gingiva mesenchymal cell populations to understand the mechanisms that regulate their activation using single cell RNA sequencing. We collected fresh gingival tissue biopsies from healthy and periodontitis affected subjects. Single-cell profiling of over 14,200 gingival cells reveals a striking dysregulation of the mesenchymal niche in disease with a decrease in functional populations that are linked to the aetiology of the disease. We also show divergent transcriptional regulators and functional pathways between health and disease. Our work provides a framework to interrogate human oral disease. Understanding the mechanisms regulating these processes holds promise to further our knowledge on tissue regeneration through the development of novel therapeutic strategies. |
Exploitation Route | The comprehensive data generated by this award will provide an extensive framework for the development of further studies. Whilst, we have focused on stromal cell types, we also generated data for other important cell identities important in disease pathogenesis that will require further understanding. Additionally, the methodology developed by this project can be used for the integration of further subjects in future projects. |
Sectors | Education Healthcare Pharmaceuticals and Medical Biotechnology |
Description | Machine Learning Training |
Amount | £480 (GBP) |
Funding ID | LIDO-03-22 |
Organisation | Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 01/2022 |
End | 02/2022 |
Title | Mapping the Spatial Dynamics of the Human Oral Mucosa in Chronic Inflammatory Disease |
Description | Spatial transcriptomics datasets from human healthy and periodontitis affected oral mucosa samples. |
Type Of Material | Database/Collection of data |
Year Produced | 2023 |
Provided To Others? | Yes |
Impact | These data is publicly available allowing other research groups to perform further analyses and generate novel hypotheses. |
URL | https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/geo/query/acc.cgi?acc=GSE206621 |
Title | Transcriptomic profiling of human gingiva in health and disease |
Description | sc-RNAseq performed on gingival tissue isolated from healthy and periodontitis patients. |
Type Of Material | Database/Collection of data |
Year Produced | 2021 |
Provided To Others? | Yes |
Impact | Raw data allowed other research groups to generate novel hypotheses and to perform new analyses. These data have been integrated with other similar datasets for a future publication. |
URL | https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/geo/query/acc.cgi?acc=GSE152042 |
Description | Oral & Craniofacial Human Cell Atlas |
Organisation | Queen Mary University of London |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | This collaboration resulted in one publication and the establishment of the Oral & Craniofacial Human Cell Atlas. |
Collaborator Contribution | Research collaboration and participation in the Human Cell Atlas network. |
Impact | https://doi.org/10.1177/002203452211107 |
Start Year | 2021 |
Description | Arts in Dentistry workshop |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Local |
Primary Audience | Other audiences |
Results and Impact | The Cultural Institute's Arts, Health and Wellbeing innovation programme explored how the arts can enhance health and wellbeing in clinical and care settings. The Arts in Dentistry strand offered opportunities for artists and arts organisations to develop new conversations and collaborations with Dental Institute researchers at King's College London. The aim was to conceive and develop experimental arts-based approaches to Understanding Disease, Enhancing Health and Restoring Function, with seed-funding being made available to the best ideas that emerge. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |