Effects of cryopreservation on the characteristics of dental pulp stem cells of intact deciduous teeth

Objectives

The aim of this study was to isolate and cultivate cells from the pulp of 7-day-cryopreserved intact deciduous human teeth and evaluate the effect of cryopreservation on dental pulp stem cell (DPSC) characteristics.

Design

Twenty-six deciduous teeth were collected and allocated in two groups: immediate cell isolation (non-cryopreserved group) and intact cryopreserved (cryopreserved group). The teeth were cryopreserved in dimethylsulfoxide solution and recovered after 7 days. The success rate of isolation, proliferation, surface markers (CD14, CD29, CD34, CD45, CD73, CD90, and HLA-DR), differentiation capacity, and morphology were evaluated.

Results

Isolation success rate was 61% and 30% for the non-cryopreserved and cryopreserved groups, respectively. There were no statistical differences between the groups for the tested surface markers. The cells in both groups were capable of differentiating into three mesenchymal lineages. No statistical differences between the groups were observed through the time course proliferation assay (0, 1, 3, 5, and 7 days); however, the mean time between isolation and the fifth passage was shorter for the non-cryopreserved group (p = 0.035). The morphology of the cells was considered altered in the cryopreserved group.

Conclusion

DPSCs were obtained from cryopreserved intact deciduous teeth without changes in the immunophenotypical characteristics and differentiation ability; however, lower culture rates, proliferation potential, and morphological alterations were observed in relation to the control group.