The tooth fairy is a welcome guest for any child who has lost a tooth. Not only will the fairy leave a small gift under the child’s pillow, but they be assured of a replacement tooth in a few months. Unfortunately, the scenario is quite different for adults grappling with a loss of teeth. Luckily, there may be some hope thanks to a new study performed by scientists at Kyoto University and the University of Fukui.
A dental breakthrough
While the typical adult mouth houses 32 teeth, approximately 1% of the population exhibits variations of them, either possessing more or fewer teeth due to congenital conditions. Researchers have delved into the genetic factors behind cases of excessive teeth, seeking valuable insights into the potential regeneration of teeth in adults. This study is the first to show that monoclonal antibodies can help regrow teeth. It suggests a new way to treat a dental problem that currently requires implants and other artificial solutions.
A bit of science
The research team disclosed that an antibody targeting a specific gene, known as uterine sensitization-associated gene-1 (USAG-1), can induce tooth development in mice affected by tooth agenesis, a congenital condition. The findings were published in the journal, Science Advances.
As per Katsu Takahashi, a senior lecturer at the Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine and one of the principal contributors to the study, the essential molecules crucial for the development of teeth have already been pinpointed. “The morphogenesis of individual teeth depends on the interactions of several molecules including BMP, or bone morphogenetic protein, and Wnt signaling,” says Takahashi.
On April 13, 2021, the University of Kyoto posted its first pic of newly-grown teeth in mice.
BMP and Wnt are involved in more than just tooth development; they affect the growth of organs and tissues early in the body’s development. Because drugs affecting them directly might have broad side effects, scientists are cautious. To find a potentially safer method, researchers focused on the gene USAG-1, thinking that aiming at factors countering BMP and Wnt specifically in tooth development could be more precise.
“We knew that suppressing USAG-1 benefits tooth growth. What we did not know was whether it would be enough,” added Takahashi.
The first results
Scientists looked at how different monoclonal antibodies affect USAG-1. Monoclonal antibodies are often used to treat things like cancer and arthritis and for making vaccines. Tests with this antibody showed that BMP signaling is crucial for deciding the number of teeth in mice. Also, just one treatment was enough to grow a whole tooth. Further tests confirmed these positive results in ferrets too.
“Ferrets are diphyodont animals with similar dental patterns to humans. Our next plan is to test the antibodies on other animals, such as pigs and dogs,” explained Takahashi.
Fully regrown frontal teeth in ferrets
The next steps
Now, scientists are going to test the drug on healthy adults. If that goes well, the team plans to try it on kids aged 2 to 6 with a rare tooth problem called anodontia, a genetic disorder defined as the absence of all teeth. These kids will get one shot of the drug to see if it makes their teeth grow. If everything works out, the medicine might be approved by 2030.
Takahashi sees the new medicine as an additional choice for individuals who are missing some or all of their teeth.
“The idea of growing new teeth is every dentist’s dream,” Takahashi told the Japanese newspaper, The Mainichi in June this year. “I’ve been working on this since I was a graduate student. I was confident I’d be able to make it happen.”
So hopefully, by the year 2030, humans will get a chance to have their third generation of teeth grown and say goodbye to implants. Until then, make sure to keep your teeth strong and healthy — this article will help you with that.
Preview photo credit KyotoU_News / Twitter
Mysterious plane found in the sea – Navy goes speechless when they look inside
Jack, a recent Navy recruit, led a routine naval mission that took an unforeseen turn when a submerged aircraft, initially believed to have historical importance, exposed a dark and sinister secret.
The aircraft attracted plenty of attention and the team that stumbled upon it came across mysterious assortment of items that piqued their curiosity.
Upon further research, it was determined that the plane’s last reported position matched its current resting place beneath the waves. With this breakthrough, the team devised a strategic plan to raise the aircraft from its watery grave.
A team of divers armed with years of experience and training navigated around the aircraft, but it was made clear that accessing the plane in its current location was impossible. This asked for another plan – deploying a massive crane stationed on the ship’s deck, poised to undertake the monumental task of lifting the plane to the surface.
Finally, when the aircraft emerged from the ocean’s depths and surfaced into the daylight, a palpable sense of awe filled Jack and the rest of his team, but it was when they took a closer look of the inside of it that they were met with an unforeseen discovery.
Instead of the what they expected to find, the interior revealed a disquieting array of objects, intensifying the mystery surrounding the aircraft. Jack’s keen eye noticed a subtle clue, triggering a series of events that would expose a criminal conspiracy of unprecedented scale.
There was no single clue that would relate the aircraft of the presence of crew or any passengers. The cockpit, typically bustling with the pilot’s activities, was eerily quiet and deserted, prompting plenty of questions about the circumstances that preceded the plane’s landing into the ocean.
There was evidence of tempering with the emergency exit door, fueling debates about the fate of potential occupants. The lack of personal belongings of potential passengers deepened the enigma and left Jack and his team with more questions than answers.
To learn more go to the video below.
Please SHARE this article with your family and friends on Facebook.
Leave a Reply