Oral Health and Dental Management

The potential of the tongue in cardiomyocyte regeneration

32^nd Asia Pacific Dental and Oral Health Congress

July 23- 24, 2018 Sydney, Australia

Matthew El-Azzi

The University of Sydney, Australia

Scientific Tracks Abstracts: Oral Health Dent Manag

Abstract:

The human heart has traditionally been considered a terminally differentiated quiescent organ having minor regenerative potential. Since early development of the tongue occurs in close proximity to the primordial heart, the question thus arises; can the tongue be utilized to regenerate cardiomyocytes after insults such as myocardial infarctions? The muscles of the tongue originate from the first four brachial arches in the embryo, which includes derivation from cranial neural crest cells and occipital-somites, as well as a third input of cells from the primordial heart. Recent studies have demonstrated similarities in transcription factors involved in the commitment and differentiation of myocytes. Some of which, are presented below. CSX/NKX2.5: Is a transcription factor thought to be the earliest marker for heart precursors; however it has also been shown to be present in early embryonic development of the tongue. It has been shown that in nkx2.5 transgenic mice, half of the tongue and digastric muscle cells were derivatives of the Nkx2.5 progenitors. GATA4: GATA4 and Nkx2.5 interact physically and synergistically to activate cardiac transcription, suggesting functional convergence of two critical cardiac pathways. BMP & Isl1: BMPs and FGFs co-operate at the early developing stage to maintain the rapid enlargement of the tongue, by promoting proliferation and inhibiting differentiation. TBX1: Tbx1 is important in 1st pharyngeal arch specification and in normal development of the heart. The role of transcription factors such as Tbx1 has been shown to assist in creating major regulatory nodes in transcription circuitry. Increasingly in vitro studies are proving to be promising, however limitations still exist in in vivo findings and thus further study of TDSCs is necessary. The potential of the tongue for cardiomyocyte regeneration is indeed promising.

Biography :

El-Azzi has completed his Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD) degree from The University of Sydney, Australia. His interests lie in the links between dentistry and cardiology, namely the link between orofacial and cardiac muscle development and regeneration. He currently works in private practice with special interests in surgical and implant dentistry. He is also passionate about mission work in underprivileged communities, where he leads a team of dentists in providing aid to Philippines and Vanuatu, annually.

E-mail: mattelazzi@gmail.com