Abstract：
Schwann cells (SCs), a type of glial cell in the peripheral nervous system, can serve as a source of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) to repair injured pulp. This study aimed to investigate the role of SCs in tooth germ development and repair of pulp injury. We performed RNA-seq and immunofluorescent staining on tooth germs at different developmental stages. The effect of L-type calcium channel (LTCC) blocker nimodipine on SCs odontogenic differentiation was analyzed by real-time polymerase chain reaction and Alizarin Red S staining. We used the PLP1-CreERT2/ Rosa26-GFP tracing mice model to examine the role of SCs and Cav1.2 in self-repair after pulp injury. SC-specific markers expressed in rat tooth germs at different developmental stages. Nimodipine treatment enhanced mRNA levels of osteogenic markers (DSPP, DMP1, and Runx2) but decreased calcium nodule formation. SCs-derived cells increased following pulp injury and Cav1.2 showed a similar response pattern as SCs. The different SCs phenotypes are coordinated in the whole process to ensure tooth development. Blocking the LTCC with nimodipine promoted SCs odontogenic differentiation. Moreover, SCs participate in the process of injured dental pulp repair as a source of MSCs, and Cav1.2 may regulate this process.
摘要：
雪旺氏细胞（SCs），周围神经系统中的一种神经胶质细胞，可以作为间充质干细胞（MSCs）的来源来修复损伤的牙髓。本研究旨在探讨SCs在牙胚发育及牙髓损伤修复中的作用。我们对不同发育阶段的牙胚进行了RNA-seq和免疫荧光染色。通过实时聚合酶链反应和茜素红S染色分析L型钙通道(LTCC)阻断剂尼莫地平对SCs牙源性分化的影响。我们使用PLP1-CreERT2/Rosa26-GFP示踪小鼠模型来检查SC和Cav1.2在牙髓损伤后的自我修复中的作用。SC特异性标记在不同发育阶段的大鼠牙胚中表达。尼莫地平治疗增强了成骨标志物的mRNA水平（DSPP，DMP1和Runx2），但减少了钙结节的形成。SCs来源的细胞在牙髓损伤后增加，Cav1.2显示出与SCs相似的反应模式。在整个过程中协调不同的SC表型以确保牙齿发育。用尼莫地平阻断LTCC促进SCs牙源性分化。此外，SCs作为MSCs的来源参与损伤牙髓修复过程,Cav1.2可以调节这个过程。
