The Role of Thymosin Beta 4 on Odontogenic Differentiation in Human Dental Pulp Cells
April 2013
in “
PLoS ONE
”
TLDR Thymosin Beta 4 helps human dental pulp cells develop into tooth-forming cells, suggesting it could aid dental regeneration.
The study demonstrated that Thymosin Beta 4 (Tβ4) played a crucial role in the odontogenic differentiation of human dental pulp cells (HDPCs). Tβ4 expression was upregulated during differentiation, enhancing odontoblastic processes through signaling pathways such as MAPKs and BMPs. Inhibition of Tβ4 reduced differentiation markers and mineralization, while its activation increased these markers and mineralization in a dose- and time-dependent manner. The study highlighted the involvement of integrin receptors and downstream signaling molecules, suggesting that Tβ4 could be a novel mechanism for regenerative endodontics and a potential therapeutic target for dental pulp regeneration.