Kyoto University Team Creates Jawbone Tissue from Human Stem Cells (iPSCs)

A research team at Kyoto University’s Center for iPS Cell Research and Application (CiRA) reports that it has created three-dimensional (3D) jawbone-like organoids from human induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells, marking what it describes as a world first.

After transplantation into mice, these organoids matured into bone tissue. The team suggests that this method could be useful for applications in regenerative medicine and drug discovery.

The findings were published in the online edition of Nature Biomedical Engineering in July.

Replicating jawbone tissue has been considered challenging because the developmental pathway of the jawbone differs from other bones in the body, and recreating the network structure of the bone cells (which make up most of the jawbone) has not been possible with previous technologies.

The researchers cultured human iPS cells to produce aggregates that would differentiate into jawbone cells. As the culture progressed, white clusters measuring 1.0 to 1.5 millimeters in diameter formed, with calcification confirmed inside the clusters.

To test bone regeneration, the team transplanted the iPS cell-derived bone organoids into holes drilled in the mandibles (lower jawbones) of mice. After four weeks, these holes were filled with bone tissue similar to what develops following a standard bone graft.

The group also established a disease model of osteogenesis imperfecta (brittle bone disease) by growing organoids from iPS cells derived from affected patients. Notably, the team reports that repairing the genetic mutation in these iPS cells allowed production of healthy bone tissue.

“We hope to develop regenerative medicine for jawbones lost to gum disease and cancer, as well as treatment using the disease model,” said Sota Motoike of the institute.

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