Dental pulp stem cells used to deliver the anticancer drug paclitaxel

Abstract

BackgroundUnderstanding stem cell behavior as a delivery tool in cancer therapy is essential for evaluating their future clinical potential. Previous in-vivo studies proved the use of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) for local delivery of the commonest anticancer drug, paclitaxel (PTX). Dental pulp is a relatively abundant noninvasive source of MSCs. We assess dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs), for the first time, as anticancer drug carriers. Confocal Raman microscopy is a unique tool to trace drug and cell viability without labeling.MethodsDrug uptake and cell apoptosis are identified through confocal Raman microscope. We traced translocation of cytochrome c enzyme from the mitochondria, as a biomarker for apoptosis, after testing both cancer and stem cells. The viability of stem cells was checked by means of confocal Raman microscope and by cytotoxicity assays.ResultsIn this study, we prove that DPSCs can be loaded in vitro with the anticancerous drug without affecting their viability, which is later released in the culture medium of breast cancer cells (MCF-7 cells) in a time-dependent fashion. The induced cytotoxic damage in MCF-7 cells was observed consequently after PTX release by DPSCs. Additionally, quantitative Raman images of intracellular drug uptake in DPSCs and MCF-7 cells were obtained. Cytotoxic assays prove the DPSCs to be more resistant to PTX as compared to bone marrow-derived MSCs, provided similar conditions.ConclusionsApplications of dental stem cells for targeted treatment of cancer could be a revolution to reduce morbidity due to chemotherapy, and to increase the efficacy of systemic cancer treatment.

RETRACTED ARTICLE: Fluorescent labelling in living dental pulp stem cells by graphene oxide quantum dots

“…GOQDs have been adopted for biolabelling, bioimaging as well as other biomedical applications because of its photoluminescent (PL) properties. GOQDs have gained a lot of interest as functional resources with high chemical stability as well as particular optical properties [8]. In our previous study, fluorescent GOQDs have been adopted within our previous researches in the absence of any conjugation or coating with macromolecules and have adopted efficiently and directly as bioimaging probes for the bone marrow stem cells' labelling.…”

<p>Assessing Cobalt Metal Nanoparticles Uptake by Cancer Cells Using Live Raman Spectroscopy</p>

“…Furthermore, primary mesenchymal stem cells derived from the dental pulp (DPSC) were tested. [27][28][29]32 DPSCs were obtained from human wisdom teeth, extracted for orthodontic reasons and recovered from healthy patients (age range: 15-18 years). Written informed consent was obtained from the patients' parents as approved by the local ethical committee (Comité de Protection des Personnes, Montpellier hospital, France).…”

“…DPSCs were isolated and characterized as previously described. 29 Cancer cell lines and primary mesenchymal stem cells were grown in DMEM and αMEM media, respectively (Dulbecco's and Alpha Modified Eagle's Medium) containing 10% FBS and 1% antibiotics (100 µg.mL −1 penicillin Streptomycin) at 37°C and 5% CO 2 .…”

“…Confocal Raman microscopy with its high spatial resolution and unique compositional sensitivity is used as a unique label-free tool to trace drugs and nanoparticles within cells. [27][28][29][30][31] The cells and their components are analysed via their vibrational spectra owing to differences in their biochemical compositions. The Raman nanoparticle signature therefore enables precise nanoparticle detection in the cell without any labeling.…”

“…The Raman nanoparticle signature therefore enables precise nanoparticle detection in the cell without any labeling. [27][28][29]32 By applying this method, the uptake of Co MNPs by cancer cells and their localization within were investigated.…”