Research Progress on the Role and Regulatory Mechanisms of Lipid Metabolism in the Osteogenic/Odontogenic Differentiation of Dental Stem Cells

Dental stem cells (DSCs) are a type of adult stem cells derived from teeth and their surrounding tissues. DSCs have attracted significant attention in tooth and bone regeneration research due to their strong osteogenic/odontogenic differentiation potential. Recent studies have shown that lipid metabolism plays a crucial role in stem cell biological activities and may even serve as a key determinant of cell fate. However, the specific roles and regulatory mechanisms of lipid metabolism in the osteogenic/odontogenic differentiation of DSCs have not yet been systematically summarized or comprehensively elucidated. Based on the latest research advances, we systematically analyzed the changes in lipid metabolism during the osteogenic/odontogenic differentiation of DSCs and explored the key regulatory functions involved in this process, aiming to provide new perspectives on metabolic regulation and potential intervention strategies for regenerative medicine research.