Chitosan scaffolds induce human dental pulp stem cells to neural differentiation: potential roles for spinal cord injury therapy

Abstract

Cell-based transplantation strategies hold great potential for spinal cord injury (SCI) repair. Chitosan scaffolds have therapeutic benefits for spinal cord regeneration. Human dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs) are abundant available stem cells with low immunological incompatibility and can be considered for cell replacement therapy. The purpose of this study is to investigate the role of chitosan scaffolds in the neural differentiation of DPSCs in vitro and to assess the supportive effects of chitosan scaffolds in an animal model of SCI. DPSCs were incubated with chitosan scaffolds. Cell viability and the secretion of neurotrophic factors were analyzed. DPSCs incubated with chitosan scaffolds were treated with neural differentiation medium for 14 days and then neural genes and protein markers were analyzed by Western blot and reverse transcription plus the polymerase chain reaction. Our study revealed a higher cell viability and neural differentiation in the DPSC/chitosan-scaffold group. Compared with the control group, the levels of BDNF, GDNF, b-NGF, and NT-3 were significantly increased in the DPSC/chitosan-scaffold group. The Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway played a key role in the neural differentiation of DPSCs combined with chitosan scaffolds. Transplantation of DPSCs together with chitosan scaffolds into an SCI rat model resulted in the marked recovery of hind limb locomotor functions. Thus, chitosan scaffolds were non-cytotoxic and provided a conducive and favorable microenvironment for the survival and neural differentiation of DPSCs. Transplantation of DPSCs might therefore be a suitable candidate for treating SCI and other neuronal degenerative diseases.

Anti-inflammatory effect of stem cells against spinal cord injury via regulating macrophage polarization

“…Transplantation of NS/PCs is promising treatment for SCI. [99][100][101][102][103] NS/PCs usual has been studied as a mean to replace the damaged neurons in SCI. However, increasing data showed that NSCs can promote motor functional recovery by modulating the host environment.…”

<i>In vivo</i> evaluation of chitosan-glycerol gel scaffolds seeded with stem cells for full-thickness mandibular bone regeneration

“…On the other hand, allografts, xenografts, or artificial bone substitutes may expose the patient to severe risks of foreign body reactions and infections (5). Stem cells represent the new frontier in the field of regenerative medicine and are seen as a promising and suitable means to overcome the aforementioned drawbacks (6)(7)(8). Numerous studies report that adult stem cells can be isolated from several organs and tissues.…”

Growth Factors and Cell Homing in Dental Tissue Regeneration

“…SC populations in dental and central niches are potentially important in contributing to revitalization procedures including dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs), stem cells for the apical papilla (SCAPs), human periodontal ligament stem cells (PDLSCs) as well as centrally residing SC populations such as human bone marrow stromal stem cells (BMSSCs), and hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) [47]. SC behavior can be modulated by producing GFs themselves [29] and by GFs released from dentin [48], other cells [49], or scaffold materials [31]. …”