New research published in the journal Nature Communications describes the discovery of stem cells capable of repairing skulls. Scientists from Rochester identified and isolated the stem cells capable of repairing skulls in mice. These stem cells are capable of both skull formation and craniofacial bone repair, making this discovery potentially very important for treating many injuries and birth defects involving the skull.

Senior author Dr. Wei Hsu, from the Eastman Institute for Oral Health at the University of Rochester Medical Centre, said the initial goal of the research was to find a cure for craniosynostosis, a skull deformity in infants. Craniosynostosis occurs when the fibrous sutures in an infant’s skull prematurely fuse and turn into bone.

The condition changes the shape of the skull, which can cause a wide variety of symptoms including intracranial pressure, visual impairment, sleeping impairment, eating difficulties, impairment of mental development and a reduction in IQ.

Dr. Hsu suggests that the findings are a significant contribution to the emerging field of regenerative medicine. The stem cells may be used to repair or replace damaged craniofacial bones in humans, caused by trauma, cancer or a congenital birth defect.

The scientists focused on the mutation that caused the disease in mice and noticed that a gene called Axin2 appeared to play a role. Upon investigating further, they discovered that Axin2-expressing cells were involved in the process of bone creation and repair. They now understand that the stem cells capable of repairing skulls are from Axin2 cell populations.

The research team discovered that these stem cells are unique to the bones within the head. Separate stem cells are responsible for the bones in other parts of the body. The discovery of stem cells capable of repairing skulls is a huge leap forward and scientists hope to develop treatments based on this finding over the next few years.

Source: Scientists discover stem cells capable of repairing skull, face bones

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