Integrated multi-omics profiling characterizes the crucial role of human dental epithelium during tooth development

The development of early human tooth primordia is not well understood. Here, we linked single-cell RNA sequencing, spatial transcriptomics, and secretome analysis to characterize human fetal tooth development over time. A spatiotemporal atlas of human tooth development at multiple levels was mapped, identifying previously uncharacterized epithelial subpopulations with distinct gene expression profiles and spatial localization. Dynamic changes in epithelial-mesenchymal interactions across developmental stages were characterized. Secretome analysis confirmed the extensive paracrine signaling from the epithelial to mesenchymal compartments and uncovered signaling factors produced by dental epithelium (DE) that regulate mesenchymal cell fate and differentiation. Integration of these datasets highlighted the crucial role of the DE in orchestrating tooth morphogenesis. Our multi-omics approach not only provides unprecedented insights into the cellular and molecular mechanisms of ectoderm-derived tissue development but also serves as a valuable resource, which is publicly available online, for future studies on human tooth regeneration and related diseases.