FGF-9 accelerates epithelial invagination for ectodermal organogenesis in real time bioengineered organ manipulation

The study demonstrated that Fibroblast growth factor-9 (FGF-9) accelerated epithelial invagination in bioengineered ectodermal organs, specifically in reaggregated mesenchymal cell layers, within 3 days. Using a combined bioengineered organ-ECIS model, researchers observed that FGF-9 stimulated and sustained early expression of Ameloblastin and Amelogenin during odontogenesis. This was the first real-time study to highlight FGF-9's significant role in initiating ectodermal organogenesis, suggesting its potential application in ectodermal organ regeneration. The study also proposed the importance of the ‘FGF-BMP balancing system’ in manipulating ectodermal organ morphogenesis, indicating the model's promise for future organ engineering and regeneration research.