The University of Osaka · Medicine
Professor Tomoaki Iwayama's research lab focuses on the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying tissue fibrosis, mineralization, and stem cell biology in metabolic and periodontal diseases. The lab employs advanced imaging techniques, genetic lineage tracing, and single-cell analyses to investigate the origin and function of perivascular cells, matrix vesicles, and tissue-resident stem cells in adipose tissue and periodontal ligaments. A central theme is understanding how cellular transitions and extracellular matrix dynamics contribute to organ fibrosis and mineralized tissue formation.
Figures are computed from collected data and may differ slightly.
Fibrosis is a common disease process in which profibrotic cells disturb organ function by secreting disorganized extracellular matrix (ECM). Adipose tissue fibrosis occurs during obesity and is associated with metabolic dysfunction, but how profibrotic cells originate is still being elucidated. Here, we use a developmental model to investigate perivascular cells in white adipose tissue (WAT) and their potential to cause organ fibrosis. We show that a Nestin-Cre transgene targets perivascular cel
Mineralization is the most fundamental process in vertebrates. It is predominantly mediated by osteoblasts, which secrete mineral precursors, most likely through matrix vesicles (MVs). These vesicular structures are calcium and phosphate rich and contain organic material such as acidic proteins. However, it remains largely unknown how intracellular MVs are transported and secreted. Here, we use scanning electron-assisted dielectric microscopy and super-resolution microscopy for assessing live os
Periodontal tissue stem cells, which play a crucial role in maintaining the homeostasis of periodontal tissues, are found in the periodontal ligament (PDL). These cells have long been referred to as mesenchymal stem/stromal cells (MSCs), and their clinical applications have been extensively studied. However, tissue stem cells in the PDL have not been thoroughly investigated, and they may be different from MSCs. Recent advances in stem cell biology, such as genetic lineage tracing, identification
Hard tissues, including the bones and teeth, are a fundamental part of the body, and their formation and homeostasis are critically regulated by matrix vesicle-mediated mineralization. Matrix vesicles have been studied for 50 y since they were first observed using electron microscopy. However, research progress has been hampered by various technical barriers. Recently, there have been great advancements in our understanding of the intracellular biosynthesis of matrix vesicles. Mitochondria and l
Our observations demonstrate that adiponectin exerts anti-inflammatory effects on HGFs and MGFs, and promotes the activities of osteoblastogenesis of HPDL cells. We conclude that adiponectin has potent beneficial functions to maintain the homeostasis of periodontal health, improve periodontal lesions, and contribute to wound healing and tissue regeneration.
Periodontal tissue supports teeth in the alveolar bone socket via fibrous attachment of the periodontal ligament (PDL). The PDL contains periodontal fibroblasts and stem/progenitor cells, collectively known as PDL cells (PDLCs), on top of osteoblasts and cementoblasts on the surface of alveolar bone and cementum, respectively. However, the characteristics and lineage hierarchy of each cell type remain poorly defined. This study identified periodontal ligament associated protein-1 (Plap-1) as a P
Data files for JDR-25-1000.R2 (VEGF-C-driven lymphatic survival signaling promotes periodontal repair) Contents- Fig3C_tidy.csv: CEJ-ABC measurements used for Fig. 3C. Columns: side (control/ligature), treatment (PBS/C156S), replicate, value_mm. Notes: replicate corresponds to individual biological samples as exported from GraphPad Prism. - Fig3D_tidy.csv: microCT quantitative values for Fig. 3D. Columns: metric, side, treatment, replicate, value. Important: Please set 'metric' to BVTV, TbTh, Tb
Summary Periodontal tissue supports teeth in the alveolar bone socket via fibrous attachment of the periodontal ligament (PDL). The PDL contains periodontal fibroblasts and stem/progenitor cells, collectively known as PDL cells (PDLCs), on top of osteoblasts and cementoblasts on the surface of alveolar bone and cementum, respectively. However, the characteristics and lineage hierarchy of each cell type remain poorly defined. This study identified periodontal ligament associated Protein-1 ( Plap-
Data files for JDR-25-1000.R2 (VEGF-C-driven lymphatic survival signaling promotes periodontal repair) Contents- Fig3C_tidy.csv: CEJ-ABC measurements used for Fig. 3C. Columns: side (control/ligature), treatment (PBS/C156S), replicate, value_mm. Notes: replicate corresponds to individual biological samples as exported from GraphPad Prism. - Fig3D_tidy.csv: microCT quantitative values for Fig. 3D. Columns: metric, side, treatment, replicate, value. Important: Please set 'metric' to BVTV, TbTh, Tb
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