1. Introduction
Embedded or impacted teeth represent developmental anomalies that can lead to various diseases, including odontogenic cysts and tumors [
1]. Hyperplastic dental follicles (HDFs) are uncommon pathological conditions associated with embedded teeth, occasionally posing a histological challenge due to their similarity to central odontogenic fibromas [
2]. This lesion exhibits diverse histological features, encompassing myxofibromatous tissue, with or without various types of calcified tissue, and features reminiscent of odontogenic epithelial tumors [
3,
4,
5]. The majority of these lesions demonstrate myxofibrous hyperplasia or a combination of odontogenic epithelial proliferation resembling ameloblastoma [
5], squamous odontogenic tumors, and various calcifications, including psammoma bodies [
4].
Multiple calcifying hyperplastic dental follicles (MCHDF) represent a rare pathological condition initially described by Sandler et al. in 1988 [
6]. The term MCHDF was coined by Gardner DG and Radden B in 1995 [
7], and subsequently, numerous authors reported similar cases using this nomenclature [
8,
9,
10,
11,
12,
13,
14]. These cases share common histological features, displaying small droplets of calcified material with a whorled pattern and varying amounts of odontogenic epithelial islands within fibrous or myxofibrous tissue. Furthermore, some instances are accompanied by regional odontodysplasia [
7]. This type of calcification may be found in solitary hyperplastic dental follicles, occasionally forming conglomerates of enameloid, cementoid, and psammomatous calcifications. The initiation of tooth formation involves two integral components: the surface epithelium and the underlying mesenchyme, both originating from cranial neural crest cells [
15]. Notably, human dental pulp stem cells exhibit positivity for CD24, CD117, and CD146, while lacking nestin expression [
16,
17]. In contrast, dental follicle spindle cells, characterized by a notable population of neural stem/progenitor cells expressing nestin [
18], demonstrate the capability to differentiate into neural cells [
19]. Both immature and mature odontoblasts, derived from neural crest cells, express nestin, dentin sialoprotein (DSP) protein, and mRNA [
20,
21].
This study focused on the examination of the structure of small droplets of calcified material exhibiting a distinctive whorled or spiral pattern, termed calcifying whorled nodules (CWN). While CWN is a characteristic feature of MCHDF, it is also identified in isolated cases of calcifying hyperplastic dental follicles (CHDF). The hypothesis posits that solitary or multiple CHDF instances may constitute hamartomatous overgrowths of neural crest cells that incompletely differentiate into odontoblasts, resulting in the formation of dentinoids or calcified particles. To elucidate the nature of CWNs, we conducted immunohistochemical investigations on dental follicles, including CHDFs, carefully selected from our archival specimens. This presentation provides compelling immunohistochemical profiles of CWNs, shedding light on potential odontoblastic differentiation within dental follicles.
4. Discussion
Aberrant psammomatous calcification may manifest in syndromic or regional hypoplasia of teeth, albeit infrequently impacting dentition. Regional odontodysplasia, initially documented by Hitchin in 1934, exhibits cementum-like and psammomatous calcification, enveloped by a whorled fibrous stroma referred to as CWN in this investigation [
23]. Multiple calcifying hyperplastic dental follicles represent a rare condition characterized by numerous unerupted teeth with substantial calcifications and remnants of odontogenic epithelium within their enlarged dental follicles, often accompanied by odontodysplasia [
6,
7,
8,
9,
10,
11,
14]. Histologically, all cases demonstrated similarities, showcasing calcified materials with a whorled or spiral structure akin to CWN. HDFs are odontogenic hamartomatous lesions arising from pericoronal tissues associated with impacted or embedded teeth [
24], presenting diverse histological findings, as previously documented [
4]. While CWNs are traditionally considered a distinctive feature of MCHDFs, this study reveals that CWNs may also manifest in solitary embedded teeth exhibiting hyperplastic changes, denoted as solitary CHDFs.
Notably, this study breaks new ground by providing immunohistochemical insights into the stromal cells of CWNs, a facet not previously explored. The immunohistochemical profile of CWNs appears to align with that of odontoblasts during the latter stages of differentiation.
The dental follicles of impacted third molars infrequently contain immature fibroblasts exhibiting phenotypic features of stromal stem cells expressing CD44 and CD56, constituting less than 2% [
25]. In contrast, CD56-positive cells were identified in 81% of cases within our series. This observation underscores the prevalent presence of stromal stem cells in HDFs, suggesting their capacity for differentiation into odontoblasts. Notably, HDFs diverge from dental pulp stem cells, as the latter express CD117/c-kit [
17], a marker absent in all HDF cases analyzed. This finding elucidates the absence of odontogenic components associated with odontomas in HDFs. Morphological examinations further support this conclusion, as no calcified tissue consisting of dentinoid and enameled tissues was observed in HDFs. This precludes the possibility of minute odontomas originating from impacted teeth.
To comprehend tooth initiation, it is imperative to consider two fundamental components: the surface epithelium and the underlying mesenchyme. The dental mesenchyme, crucial for tooth development, originates from cranial neural crest cells migrating into the frontonasal process and the first branchial arch [
15]. Nestin, initially characterized in neural stem cells, is a cytoskeletal intermediate filament and serves as a neuroepithelial stem cell marker. Despite its association with neural cells, recent evidence from in vivo models and humans highlights the presence of nestin-positive cells with progenitor and/or regulatory functions in various tissues [
26]. Notably, odontogenic ectomesenchymal cells, akin to neural cells in origin [
15], exhibit convincing evidence of nestin. The dental follicle, an ectomesenchymal tissue enveloping the developing tooth germ, is a noteworthy example. Human follicle cells, distinctively, demonstrate the ability to differentiate into neural cells. In cultured spindling dental follicle cells, the expression of neural markers such as nestin, β-III-tubulin, and S100β is evident. Additionally, there is an up-regulation of Musashi-1 and Musashi-2, MAP2, GFAP, MBP, and SOX10 [
19].
Nestin serves as a prominent dentin follicle marker [
27] and is notably expressed in differentiated odontoblasts [
21]. While there is limited documentation on nestin expression in odontogenic neoplasms or related lesions, it has been observed that all ameloblastomas and malignant ameloblastomas exhibit negativity for nestin. However, in odontogenic mixed tumors, nestin immunoreactivity is evident in the odontogenic ectomesenchyme, particularly in regions adjacent to the odontogenic epithelium. Moreover, positive nestin expression is observed in odontoblasts, pulp cells, and cells adhering to dentin in odontomas [
28]. Nestin has also been utilized as a differentiation marker for odontoblasts during tooth development. In the later stages of odontogenesis, the unmineralized matrix gradually transforms into mature dentin. In this context, DSP and nestin are recognized as markers of late-stage odontoblastic differentiation [
29]. Notably, experimental evidence indicates the co-expression of nestin and DSP during the late stage of odontoblast differentiation, encompassing both pre-odontoblasts and mature odontoblasts [
20]. The DSP domain plays a crucial role in facilitating mesenchymal cell differentiation and mineralization [
30]. Calcifying whorled structures exhibit positive reactions to nestin and DSP, indicative of the late stage of odontoblast differentiation. Morphologically, some calcifying whorled structures contain dentinoid materials with tubule-like dentinal structures. Considering both the immunohistochemical findings and the morphological features of dentinoid formation, it is conceivable that certain constituent cells of dental follicles possess the potential to undergo differentiation into odontoblasts. This report represents the initial documentation of odontoblastic differentiation in HDFs.
The Notch signaling pathway holds a paramount status as an ancient and remarkably preserved mechanism. Its involvement extends across diverse physiological processes, including cell differentiation and regeneration, while also playing a pivotal role in pathological conditions such as carcinogenesis. Specifically, the signaling of Notch operates in a manner that negatively regulates the differentiation of neural stem cells, directing them away from the neuronal lineage [
31]. Genes featuring suppressors of hairless paired sites (SPS) or Notch transcription complexes at DNA-binding sites are inclined to be high-affinity targets for Notch. Consequently, Hes1, a prototypical SPS-containing Notch target, exhibits responsiveness to Notch1 [
32]. The upregulation of Hes1 may be attributed to an increased activity within the Notch signaling pathway, potentially contributing to the proliferation of tumors [
33]. Conversely, Hes1 acts as an inhibitor of Notch signaling, thereby influencing the differentiation of embryonic stem cells by suppressing Notch signaling via Hes1 [
34]. The expression of Hes1 has been identified in the stellate reticulum cells and the outer dental mesenchyme [
35]. In dental pulp subjected to Ca(OH)2 treatment, there was an observed upregulation of Hes1, accompanied by increased expression of Notch1, Notch2, and Notch3. Conversely, diminished Notch/Hes1 signaling has been linked to a reduction in tooth size [
36]. These investigations indicate that Hes1 plays a significant role in odontogenesis. Furthermore, the suppression of Notch signaling has been found to facilitate odontoblastic differentiation in HES1-positive CWN cells.
In vivo, hyperplastic dental follicles potentially serve as valuable models for understanding odontogenesis in human ectomesenchymal cells. Unfortunately, the scope of this study was limited by the availability of specimens suitable for immunohistochemical examination, and none were deemed appropriate for molecular analysis. Consequently, our findings indicate a tendency for the immunophenotypes of constituent cells within CWNs to express nestin, DSP, and HES1. However, it is imperative to underscore that additional investigations are imperative to substantiate and validate these preliminary results.