Tissue Engineering, Tissue Regeneration and Stem Cells

Tissue engineering relies on the concerted action of stem cells, factors, and scaffolds. In real-life wounds, stem cells are often limited in their capacity to self-renew and form new matrices of sufficient size to rebuild expansive and dense tissues, including bone. To overcome the challenges of traditional stem cell therapy we have identified novel small molecules which have been integrated into multi-layer scaffolds to facilitate de novo engineering of lost tissues in complex defects. My lab has worked on stem cells and tissue engineering since 2001, resulting in several independent R01 grants and approximately 20 peer-reviewed publications for this work alone.

Peer-reviewed Publications

Ding, Y., Luan, J., Malmstrom, H.S., Luan, X., and Diekwisch, T.G.H. (2026). Mir-27 promotes periodontal regeneration via osteogenesis/angiogenesis. J. Dent Res. 105(4): 495–504.

Lyu, H., Zhou, X., Qian, Y., Liu, X., Gopinathan, G., Pandya, M., Qin, C., Luan, X., and Diekwisch, T.G.H. (2022). Long-acting PFI-2 small molecule release and multilayer scaffold design achieve extensive new formation of complex periodontal tissues with unprecedented fidelity. Biomaterials. 290: 121819.

Qian, Y., Zhou, X., Zhang, F., Diekwisch, T.G.H., Luan, X., and Yang, J. (2019). Triple PLGA/PCL scaffold modification including silver impregnation, collagen coating, and electrospinning significantly improve biocompatibility, antimicrobial, and osteogenic properties for orofacial tissue regeneration. ACS Appl Mater Interfaces. 11(41): 37381-37396.

Issac, A., Jivan, F., Xin, S., Hardin, J., Luan, X., Pandya, M., Diekwisch, T.G.H. and Agle, D.L., (2019). Microporous Bio-orthogonally Annealed Particle Hydrogels for Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine. ACS Biomater. Sci. Eng. 5(12): 6395-6404.

Francis, M., Gopinathan, G., Foyle, D., Fallah, P., Gonzalez, M., Luan, X., and Diekwisch, T.G.H. (2020). Histone Methylation: Achilles Heel and Powerful Mediator of Periodontal Homeostasis. J. Dent. Res. 99(12): 1332-1340.

Francis, M., Gopinathan, G., Salapatas, A., Nares, S., Gonzales, M., Diekwisch, T.G.H. and Luan, X. (2020). SETD1 and NF-kB Regulate Periodontal Inflammation through H3K4 Trimethylation. J. Dent. Res. 99(13): 1486-1493.

Pandya, M., Saxon, M., Bozanich, J., Tillberg, C., Luan, X., and Diekwisch, T.G.H. (2021). The glycoprotein/cytokine erythropoietin promotes rapid alveolar ridge regeneration in vivo by promoting new bone extracellular matrix deposition in conjunction with couple angiogenesis/osteogenesis. Int. J. Mol. Sci. 22(6): 2788.

Ma, W., Lyu, H., Pandya, M., Gopinathan, G., Luan, X., and Diekwisch, T.G.H. (2021). Successful Application of a Galanin-Coated Scaffold for Periodontal Regeneration. J. Dent. Res. 100(10): 1144-1152.

Liu, H., Yan, X., Pandya, M., Luan, X., and Diekwisch, T.G.H. (2016). Daughters of the enamel organ: Development, fate, and function of the stratum intermedium, stellate reticulum, and outer enamel epithelium. Stem Cells Dev. 25(20): 1580-1590.

Li, Q., Reed, D.A., Min, L., Gopinathan, G., Li, S., Dangaria, S.J., Li, L., Geng, Y., Galang, M.T., Gajendrareddy, P., Zhou, Y., Luan, X., Diekwisch, T.G. (2014). Lyophilized Platelet-Rich Fibrin (PRF) promotes craniofacial bone regeneration through Runx2. Int. J. Mol. Sci. 15(5): 8509-8525.

Gopinathan G., Kolokythas, A., Luan, X., and Diekwisch, T.G.H. (2013). Epigenetic marks define the lineage and differentiation potential of two distinct neural crest-derived odontogenic progenitors. Stem Cells Dev. 22(12): 1763-1778.

Huang, J., Zhao, D., Dangaria, S.J., Luan, X., Diekwisch, T.G.H., Saiz, E., Liu, G., Tomsia, A.P. (2013). Combinatorial design of hydrolytically degradable, bone-like biocomposites based on PHEMA and hydroxyapatite. Polymer. 54(2): 909-919.

Pan, S., Dangaria, S.J., Yan, X., Gopinathan, G., Lu, X., Kolokythas, A., Niu, X., and Luan X. (2013). SCF promotes dental pulp progenitor migration, neovascularization, and collagen remodeling – potential applications as a homing factor in pulp regeneration. Stem Cell Rev. Rep. 9(5): 655-667.

Li, Q., Pan, S., Dangaria, S.J., Gopinathan G., Kolokythas, A., Chu, S., Geng, Y., Zhou, Y, and Luan, X. (2013). Platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) promotes periodontal regeneration and enhances alveolar bone augmentation. Biomed. Res. Int. 2013(1): 638043.

Dangaria, S., Ito, Y., Luan, X., and Diekwisch, T.G.H. (2011). Successful periodontal ligament regeneration by periodontal progenitor pre-seeding on natural tooth root surfaces. Stem Cells Dev. 20(10): 1659-1668.

Dangaria, S., Ito, Y., Yin, L.L., Valdrè, G., Luan, X., and Diekwisch, T.G.H. (2011). Apatite microtopographies instruct signaling tapestries for progenitor-driven new attachment of teeth. Tissue Eng. Part A. 17(3-4): 279-290.

Dangaria, S., Ito, Y., Luan, X., and Diekwisch, T.G.H. (2011). Differentiation of neural crest-derived intermediate pluripotent progenitors into committed periodontal populations involves unique molecular signature changes, cohort shifts, and epigenetic modifications. Stem Cells Dev. 20(1): 39-52. Journal Cover.

Dangaria, S.J., Ito, Y., Walker, C., Druzinsky, R., Luan, X., and Diekwisch, T.G.H. (2009). Extracellular matrix-mediated differentiation of periodontal progenitor cells. Differentiation. 78(2-3): 79-90.

Luan, X., Ito, Y., Dangaria, S., and Diekwisch, T.G.H. (2006). Dental follicle progenitor cell heterogeneity in the developing mouse periodontium. Stem Cells Dev. 15(4): 595-608.