By IANS 3 days ago TWC India
Teeth.(IANS)
In a groundbreaking development, a team of Japanese scientists has devised a drug capable of regenerating lost teeth in adults, marking a significant advancement that is now progressing towards human clinical trials.
Researchers from Kyoto University and the University of Fukui directed their focus towards a protein known as USAG-1, which is synthesised by a gene and has been found to impede tooth growth. By targeting the USAG-1 protein with an antibody, they were able to stimulate tooth growth in mice afflicted with tooth agenesis, a congenital condition.
In an article published in the journal Science Advances, the scientists detailed the tooth regrowth drug and its potential to enable individuals affected by the congenital condition called Anodontia to grow a new set of teeth.
This condition causes less than a complete set of teeth to develop and is present in approximately 1 per cent of the population.
As reported by Japan’s national daily news site, the Mainichi, the scientists are scheduled to commence clinical trials in July 2024 and anticipate its availability for general use by 2030.
This study is the first to demonstrate the advantages of monoclonal antibodies in tooth regeneration and introduces a novel therapeutic framework for a clinical problem that currently relies on implants and other artificial measures for resolution.
“We were aware that suppressing USAG-1 promotes tooth growth. However, we were uncertain if it would suffice,” explained Katsu Takahashi, one of the study’s lead authors and a senior lecturer at Kyoto University.
Takahashi elaborated that the fundamental molecules responsible for tooth development have already been identified.
“The morphogenesis of individual teeth is contingent upon the interactions of various molecules, including BMP (bone morphogenetic protein) and Wnt signalling,” he noted.
Recognising that specifically targeting the factors that hinder BMP and Wnt in tooth development could be a safer approach, the team honed in on the USAG-1 gene.
Consequently, the scientists investigated the effects of multiple monoclonal antibodies for USAG-1. Monoclonal antibodies are commonly employed in cancer treatment, arthritis, and vaccine development.
Since USAG-1 interacts with both BMP and Wnt, several antibodies were found to result in poor birth and survival rates among the mice, underscoring the significance of both BMP and Wnt in overall bodily growth. However, one promising antibody disrupted the interaction between USAG-1 and BMP exclusively.
Experiments conducted with this antibody revealed that BMP signalling is crucial in determining the number of teeth in mice. Furthermore, a single administration was sufficient to generate an entire tooth. Subsequent experiments demonstrated similar benefits in ferrets, animals with dental patterns resembling those of humans.
“Traditional tissue engineering methods are not suitable for tooth regeneration. Our study demonstrates the effectiveness of cell-free molecular therapy for a broad spectrum of congenital tooth agenesis,” stated Manabu Sugai from the University of Fukui, a co-author of the study.
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