Determinants of Dental Pulp Stem Cell Heterogeneity

IntroductionThe aim of this review is to provide a narrative review on the determinants of dental pulp stem cell (DPSC) heterogeneity that may affect the regenerative properties of these cells.MethodsPubMed, Scopus, and MEDLINE (Ovid) literature searches were done on human dental pulp stem cell heterogeneity. The focus was on human dental pulp stem cells with a primary focus on DPSC heterogeneity.ResultsDPSCs display significant heterogeneity as illustrated by the various subpopulations reported, including differences in proliferation and differentiation capabilities and the impact of various intrinsic and extrinsic factors.ConclusionsThe lack of consistent and reliable results in the clinical setting may be due to the heterogeneous nature of DPSC populations. Standardization in isolation techniques and criteria to characterize DPSCs should lead to less variability in results reported and improve comparison of findings between studies. Single-cell RNA sequencing holds promise in elucidating DPSC heterogeneity and may contribute to the establishment of standardized techniques.     

Effects of 3-dimensional Bioprinting Alginate/Gelatin Hydrogel Scaffold Extract on Proliferation and Differentiation of Human Dental Pulp Stem Cells

IntroductionAlginate/gelatin hydrogel (Alg-Gel) scaffold has been applied in tissue engineering, but the research on its application in dental tissues regeneration is still lacking. We investigated the effect of this scaffold on human dental pulp stem cells (hDPSCs).MethodshDPSCs were cultured in both Alg-Gel and 3D-printed Alg-Gel scaffolds. Cell growth and adhesion were compared using fluorescein isothiocyanate–phalloidin staining and scanning electron microscopic micrographs. Changes in the proliferation in hDPSCs cultured in the complete culture medium containing aqueous extracts of the Alg-Gel or 3D-printed Alg-Gel scaffolds were examined using Cell Counting Kit-8 assay and flow cytometry analysis. Cells were cultured in the mineralization medium containing aqueous extracts of the Alg-Gel or 3D-printed Alg-Gel scaffolds for 7 or 14 days, and the differentiation of cells was shown by alizarin red S staining and alkaline phosphatase staining. The messenger RNA and protein expression of mineralization-related genes were detected with real-time polymerase chain reaction and Western blotting. Elemental analysis was used to test the material extract composition.ResultsMore cells were grown and adhered to the 3D-printed Alg-Gel scaffolds than the Alg-Gel scaffolds. The aqueous extracts of 3D-printed scaffolds can promote cell proliferation, and compared with Alg-Gel scaffolds, the extracts of 3D-printed scaffolds were more effective. Compared with the negative control group, 3D-printed Alg-Gel scaffold and Alg-Gel scaffold aqueous extracts promoted osteogenic/odontoblastic differentiation of hDPSCs with the enhanced formation of bone-like nodules and the alkaline phosphatase staining. The expression of mineralization-related genes was also up-regulated. 3D-printed scaffold aqueous extract contained more calcium and phosphorus ions than the Alg-Gel scaffold.ConclusionsThese findings suggest that compared with the Alg-Gel scaffold, 3D-printed Alg-Gel is more suitable for the growth of hDPSCs, and the scaffold extracts can better promote cell proliferation and differentiation.     

Human dental pulp stem cells derived from different cryopreservation methods of human dental pulp tissues of diseased teeth

J Oral Pathol Med (2011) 40 : 793–800 Background: Successful isolation of human dental pulp stem cells (hDPSCs) has been documented at least 120 h after tooth extraction. Viable hDPSCs have been isolated chiefly from cryopreserved healthy molar teeth and their undigested dental pulp tissue. Isolation of hDPSCs from diseased but vital teeth after cryopreservation has not been reported. This study aimed to isolate hDPSCs from cryopreserved diseased but vital teeth of various tooth types. Materials: Fifty tooth samples were divided into group A (n = 20) – freshly derived dental pulp tissues, group B (n = 20) – liquid nitrogen (liq N₂)‐stored dental pulp tissues and group C (n = 10) – liq N₂‐stored intact teeth. Methods and results: The success rate for hDPSCs isolation was 100% for groups A and B and only 20% for group C. hDPSCs from all groups demonstrated self‐renewal properties and similar multipotent potential characteristics of adipogenic, chondrogenic and osteogenic differentiation. In addition, hDPSCs showed high expression of bone‐marrow mesenchymal stem‐cell markers (CD29, CD90 and CD105) and very low expression of specific hematopoietic cells markers (CD14, CD34 and CD45). Conclusion: Our results indicate that hDPSCs isolated from diseased but vital teeth of various tooth types can be stored in liq N₂ for future usage.     

The Role of Interleukin 6 in Osteogenic and Neurogenic Differentiation Potentials of Dental Pulp Stem Cells

IntroductionStudies have shown that there is a significantly higher concentration of interleukin 6 (IL-6) in inflamed pulp tissues compared with healthy pulp tissues. The aims of this study were to investigate the baseline differences between mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) isolated from healthy human dental pulp stem cells (H-DPSCs) and inflamed dental pulp stem cells (I-DPSCs) and their correlation to IL-6 and to determine whether IL-6 can affect the differentiation potentials of these cells.MethodsMSCs isolated from healthy and inflamed pulp tissues were cultured and characterized in vitro. The levels of secreted IL-6 in the culture supernatants from H-DPSCs and I-DPSCs were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. IL-6 and neutralizing IL-6 were added to H-DPSCs and I-DPSCs, respectively. Immunofluorescence staining, alizarin red staining, and Western blotting were performed to assess the differentiation potentials of H-DPSCs and I-DPSCs. The independent unpaired 2-tailed Student's t-test was performed after quantification analysis.ResultsH-DPSCs and I-DPSCs showed a similar expression of MSC-associated markers including CD44, CD73, CD90, and CD105, whereas H-DPSCs showed a lower level of IL-6, lower osteogenic differentiation potentials, and higher neurogenic differentiation potentials compared with I-DPSCs. The addition of IL-6 to H-DPSCs increased osteogenic potentials and decreased neurogenic potentials, whereas the neutralization of IL-6 for I-DPSCs led to decreased osteogenic potentials and increased neurogenic potentials.ConclusionsThe findings of this study indicated IL-6 has the capacity to enhance osteogenesis while hindering neurogenesis of DPSCs.     

Melatonin Treatment Alters Biological and Immunomodulatory Properties of Human Dental Pulp Mesenchymal Stem Cells via Augmented Transforming Growth Factor Beta Secretion

IntroductionMelatonin is an endogenous neurohormone with well-reported anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, but the direct biological and immunomodulatory effects of melatonin on human dental pulp stem cells (hDPSCs) has not been fully elucidated. The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of melatonin on the cytocompatibility, proliferation, cell migration, odontogenic differentiation, mineralized nodule formation, and immunomodulatory properties of hDPSCs.MethodsTo address the melatonin biological effects on hDPSCs, the cytocompatibility, proliferation, cell migration, odontogenic differentiation, mineralized nodule formation, and immunomodulatory properties of hDPSCs after melatonin treatment were evaluated. The statistical differences were evaluated using 1-way analysis of variance with the Tukey multiple comparison test.ResultsWe found that melatonin did not alter hDPSC immunophenotype or cell viability, even at the highest concentrations used. However, using intermediate melatonin concentrations (10–300 μmol/L), a significantly higher proliferation rate (P < .05 and P < .01) and migration of hDPSCs (P < .01) were observed. Importantly, melatonin treatment (100 μmol/L) significantly increased the secretion of the anti-inflammatory cytokine transforming growth factor beta (P < .05 and P < .01) and provoked a more robust antiproliferative effect on mitogen-stimulated T cells (P < .05). Finally, and unlike previous results found with mesenchymal stem cells from other sources, melatonin fails to induce or accelerate the spontaneous osteogenic differentiation of hDPSCs.ConclusionsTogether, these findings provide key data on the bioactivity of melatonin and its effects on hPDSC biological and immunomodulatory properties.     

Isolation and Characterization of Human Dental Pulp Stem/Stromal Cells From Nonextracted Crown-fractured Teeth Requiring Root Canal Therapy

IntroductionHuman dental pulp stem/stromal cells (hDPSCs) in adults are primarily derived from the pulp tissues of permanent third molar teeth in existing literatures, whereas no reports exist, to our knowledge, on deriving hDPSCs from a tooth without the need for surgical procedure. The aim of this study was to raise a novel idea to source hDPSCs from complicated crown-fractured teeth requiring root canal therapy.MethodshDPSCs were harvested from the pulp tissues for two complicated crown-fractured teeth requiring root canal therapy, retaining the teeth for subsequent prosthodontic rehabilitation, in a 41-year-old woman who had suffered a motorcycle accident. Pulp tissue from the left lower deciduous canine of a healthy 10-year-old boy (the positive control) was also removed because of high mobility and cultured for hDPSCs.ResultsThe hDPSCs derived from the two complicated crown-fractured teeth and the deciduous tooth were able to differentiate into adipogenic, chondrogenic, and osteogenic lineages and also expressed stem cells markers and differentiation markers, which indicated their stem cell origin and differentiation capability. In addition, hDPSCs from both the complicated crown-fractured teeth and the deciduous tooth showed high expression for bone marrow stem cell markers including CD29, CD90, and CD105 and exhibited very low expression of markers specific for hematopoietic cells such as CD14, CD34, and CD45.ConclusionsThis report describes the successful isolation and characterization of hDPSCs from the pulp tissue of complicated crown-fractured teeth without tooth extraction. Therefore, pulp exposed in complicated crown-fractured teeth might represent a valuable source of personal hDPSCs.     

Evaluation of the Biodistribution of Human Dental Pulp Stem Cells Transplanted into Mice

Introduction

Several studies have attempted to use human dental pulp stem cells (hDPSCs) for pulp-dentin complex regeneration in vitro. However, the safety of such applications should be first evaluated in vivo before their use in clinical trials. The purpose of this study was to investigate the in vivo fate of intrapulpally transplanted hDPSCs.

Dental Pulp Stem Cell Transplantation with 2,3,5,4′-Tetrahydroxystilbene-2-O-β-D-glucoside Accelerates Alveolar Bone Regeneration in Rats

Introduction

Although the therapeutic potential of human dental pulp stem cells (hDPSCs) has been studied for bone regeneration, the therapeutic efficiency needs further consideration and examinations for clinical applications. Thus, the aims of this study were to evaluate the effect of 2,3,5,4’-tetrahydroxystilbene-2-O-β-D-glucoside (THSG) on the osteogenic differentiation of hDPSCs and to examine the therapeutic efficiency of the THSG-enhanced osseous potential of hDPSCs in alveolar bony defects of rats.

The Role of Small Extracellular Vesicles Derived from Lipopolysaccharide-preconditioned Human Dental Pulp Stem Cells in Dental Pulp Regeneration

IntroductionRegenerative endodontics has created a desirable shift in the treatment paradigm despite current limitations of regenerative outcomes. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) facilitate tissue regeneration and repair in a mild inflammatory environment. Small extracellular vesicles (sEVs) derived from MSCs play an imperative role in the paracrine modulation of regenerative responses modulated by MSCs. However, it remains unknown whether MSCs enhance dental pulp regeneration or whether this enhancement is mediated by sEVs in a mild inflammatory environment. The present study aimed to elucidate the effects of sEVs originated from lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-preconditioned human dental pulp stem cells (hDPSCs) on dental pulp regeneration.MethodsAll sEVs were isolated from hDPSCs cultured with or without LPS (ie, N-sEVs and L-sEVs, respectively). The effect of N-sEVs and L-sEVs on proliferation, migration, angiogenesis, and differentiation of rat bone marrow MSCs was identified in vitro. Moreover, N-sEVs or L-sEVs were implanted into rat pulpless root canal models, and the regenerated tissue in root canals was assessed via hematoxylin-eosin staining, Masson staining, and immunohistochemistry after 30 days of transplantation.ResultsBoth N-sEVs and L-sEVs could modulate BMSC proliferation, migration, angiogenesis, and differentiation. Both kinds of sEVs enhanced the structure of the regenerated tissue closer to that of a normal dental pulp in vivo. L-sEVs had a more significant effect than N-sEVs.ConclusionssEVs released by hDPSCs in a mild inflammatory microenvironment are capable of facilitating the regeneration of dental pulp through functional healing instead of scar healing, which has potential applications in regenerative endodontics.     

人牙髓干细胞体外成骨向分化的实验研究

目的：探讨人牙髓干细胞在体外成骨向分化潜能。方法：用免疫磁珠法分选人牙髓干细胞并检测其干细胞表面标志物Stro-1、CD29、CD34、CD44、CD45、CD90、CD105的表达。体外诱导人牙髓干细胞向成骨细胞分化,通过碱性磷酸酶染色和茜素红染色观察成骨诱导后细胞的成骨活性和矿化结节形成情况,通过real-time PCR分析成骨相关基因ALP、col I、RunX2、OC的表达,未成骨诱导细胞作为对照。结果：人牙髓干细胞阳性表达间充质干细胞表面标志物Stro-1、CD29、CD44、CD90、CD105,阴性表达造血干细胞表面标志物CD34、CD45。成骨诱导5d、7d、14d ALP染色阳性,21d茜素红染色仅诱导组可见明显钙结节形成,对照组为阴性。成骨相关基因ALP、RunX2和Col I mRNA在成骨诱导早期高表达,OC mRNA在成骨诱导14d表达开始逐渐升高。结论：经磁珠分选纯化的人牙髓干细胞在成骨诱导条件下可向成骨细胞分化,形成钙盐沉积和矿化结节,ALP、col I、RunX2、OC参与了成骨向分化的过程。     

Human Dental Pulp Stem Cells Suppress Alloantigen-induced Immunity by Stimulating T Cells to Release Transforming Growth Factor Beta

Introduction

Human dental pulp stem cells (hDPSCs) are ideal candidates for regenerating damaged dental tissue. To examine the possibility that hDPSCs may be used to regenerate pulp, we tested their in vitro effects on acute allogeneic immune responses.

Insulin-like growth factor 1 promotes the proliferation and committed differentiation of human dental pulp stem cells through MAPK pathways

ObjectivesInsulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) is a broad-spectrum growth-promoting factor that plays a key role in natural tooth development. Human dental pulp stem cells (hDPSCs) are multipotent and can influence the reparative regeneration of dental pulp and dentin. This study was designed to evaluate the effects of IGF-1 on the proliferation and differentiation of human dental pulp stem cells.MethodsHDPSCs were isolated and purified from human dental pulps. The proliferation and osteo/odontogenic differentiation of hDPSCs treated with 100 ng/ml exogenous IGF-1 were subsequently investigated.ResultsMTT assays revealed that IGF-1 enhanced the proliferation of hDPSCs. ALP activity in IGF-1-treated group was obviously enhanced compared to the control group from days 3 to 9. Alizarin red staining revealed that the IGF-1-treated cells contained a greater number of mineralization nodules and had higher calcium concentrations. Moreover, western blot and qRT-PCR analyses demonstrated that the expression levels of several osteogenic genes (e.g., RUNX2, OSX, and OCN) and an odontoblast-specific marker (DSPP) were significantly up-regulated in IGF-1-treated hDPSCs as compared with untreated cells (P < 0.01). Interestingly, the expression of phospho-ERK and phospho-p38 were also up-regulated, indicating that the MAPK signaling pathway is activated during the differentiation of hDPSCs.ConclusionsIGF-1 can promote the proliferation and osteo/odontogenic differentiation of hDPSCs by activating MAPK pathways.     

模拟微重力对人牙髓干细胞在裸鼠体内矿化能力的影响

目的:研究模拟微重力环境对聚乳酸-羟基乙酸(PLGA)支架上的人牙髓干细胞(human dental pulp stem cells, hDPSCs)在裸鼠体内矿化能力的影响。方法:分离、培养hDPSCs并进行鉴定,然后将hDPSCs接种到PLGA支架上培养72 h后随机分为两组,普通重力组和模拟微重力组,经矿化诱导液培养1周后分别将细胞支架复合物移植到裸鼠体内,植入术后4周取材,进行组织学(HE和Vonkossa)和免疫组织化学(DSPP)检测。结果:HE染色均可见有血管生成,Vonkossa染色均为阳性,模拟微重力组DSPP的表达水平明显高于普通重力组(P<0.05)。结论:模拟微重力有利于hDPSCs在裸鼠体内的矿化。     

釉基质衍生物对人牙周膜干细胞成骨分化的影响

目的研究釉基质衍生物对人牙周膜干细胞增殖和成骨分化的影响并探究其可能的机制。方法原代培养人牙周膜干细胞,经过流式鉴定后选取第3代细胞进行实验。采用CCK-8试剂盒检测不同浓度(0、20、50、100 mg·L^-1)的釉基质衍生物对人牙周膜干细胞增殖的影响;实时荧光定量聚合酶链式反应(qRT-PCR)检测不同浓度(0、20、50、100 mg·L^-1)釉基质衍生物对人牙周膜干细胞成骨分化的影响;通过Trichrome染色和Von Kosa’s染色检测不同浓度(0、20、50、100 mg·L^-1)釉基质衍生物对人牙周膜干细胞胶原合成和矿化结节形成的影响;不同浓度釉基质衍生物和DDK1作用人牙周膜干细胞之后,通过Western blot和qRT-PCR检测β-连环蛋白、RunX2、CaMKⅡ及NLK表达情况。结果釉基质衍生物对人牙周膜干细胞的增殖具有明显的促进作用,并呈现剂量和时间依赖性;釉基质衍生物处理人牙周膜干细胞之后,矿化结节形成和胶原合成显著增多,骨钙素、Ⅰ型胶原、RunX2的表达明显增多;另外,釉基质衍生物处理能显著增加β-连环蛋白、RunX2、CaMKⅡ和NLK的表达,且该作用可被DDK1抑制。结论釉基质衍生物对体外培养的人牙周膜干细胞有促进增殖和成骨分化的作用,其作用可能是通过Wnt/β-连环蛋白实现的。     

Effects of Platelet-rich Plasma and Cell Coculture on Angiogenesis in Human Dental Pulp Stem Cells and Endothelial Progenitor Cells

Introduction

Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) has been described as platelet concentrate. Growth factors released by activated platelets can improve wound vasculogenesis and enhance wound healing. In this study, we used PRP instead of serum to culture human dental pulp stem cells (hDPSCs) and endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) and investigated revascularization ability. The effect of hDPSC and EPC coculture on vasculogenesis was also studied.

Methods

PRP was prepared by secondary centrifugation. Real-time polymerase chain reaction and Western blotting were used to determine the expression of vasculogenesis-related factors vascular endothelial growth factor, platelet-derived growth factor, fetal liver kinase 1 (Flk-1), and stromal cell-derived factor 1 (SDF-1) in cultured hDPSCs and EPCs. The cells were divided into 4 groups: EPCs + 10% fetal bovine serum (FBS), EPCs + 10% PRP, EPCs + hDPSCs + 10% FBS, and EPCs + hDPSCs + 10% PRP. Then, the formation of vessel-like structures was tested by the tube formation assay.

Results

On day 3, the expression levels of all the markers in the coculture groups were much higher than in the single-culture groups and were also higher in the PRP groups compared with the FBS groups (P < .05), except for SDF-1. Expression levels were significantly higher in the experimental groups (EPCs + 10% PRP, EPCs + hDPSCs + 10% FBS, and EPCs + hDPSCs + 10% PRP) than in the control group (EPCs + 10% FBS) and in the PRP groups/coculture groups compared with the FBS groups/single-culture groups (P < .01). The tube formation assay showed the area of vessel-like structures formed by the PRP group to be larger than in the FBS group (P < .05).

Conclusions

PRP and coculture can both promote vasculogenesis, and PRP can promote EPCs to form vessel-like structures.     

A nanoscale ridge/groove pattern arrayed surface enhances adipogenic differentiation of human supernumerary tooth-derived dental pulp stem cells in vitro

Objective

The aim of this study was to establish human dental pulp stem cells (hDPSCs) from supernumerary teeth and determine the effects of a 350-nm nano-patterned surface on adipogenic and osteogenic differentiation of hDPSCs.

Design

Several surface markers were analysed by FACS to confirm the isolated cells as hDPSCs. To demonstrate the effects of a nano-patterned surface on the differentiation of hDPSCs, the cells were cultured on a nano-patterned surface with or without adipogenic or osteogenic induction factors. Cells were then stained with Oil red O or Alizarin red, and the lineage specific genes LPL and Runx-2 were analysed by real-time PCR at 3, 6 and 9 days after culture.

Results

The hDPSCs on a nano-patterned surface showed a linear arrangement compared to irregular cells on a conventional surface. During adipogenic differentiation, more Oil red O stained cells were found in the nano-patterned group than in the conventional group. On the other hand, there was no significant difference in Alizarin red staining between the nano-pattern and conventional surface groups after induction of osteogenic differentiation. Gene expression analyses revealed significantly higher expression of LPL in the nano-patterned group than in the conventional group, whereas Runx-2 expression was higher in the conventional group than in the nano-patterned group.

Conclusion

This study showed that a nano-patterned surface may be able to enhance adipogenic differentiation of hDPSCs by altering their morphology and gene expression patterns, whereas the same surface may inhibit or suppress osteogenic differentiation of the cells.