Human Dental pulp stem cells (hDPSCs): isolation, enrichment and comparative differentiation of two sub-populations

Abstract

BackgroundHuman dental pulp represents a suitable alternative source of stem cells for the purpose of cell-based therapies in regenerative medicine, because it is relatively easy to obtain it, using low invasive procedures. This study characterized and compared two subpopulations of adult stem cells derived from human dental pulp (hDPSCs). Human DPSCs, formerly immune-selected for STRO-1 and c-Kit, were separated for negativity and positivity to CD34 expression respectively, and evaluated for cell proliferation, stemness maintenance, cell senescence and multipotency.ResultsThe STRO-1+/c-Kit+/CD34+ hDPSCs showed a slower proliferation, gradual loss of stemness, early cell senescence and apoptosis, compared to STRO-1+/c-Kit+/CD34− hDPSCs. Both the subpopulations demonstrated similar abilities to differentiate towards mesoderm lineages, whereas a significant difference was observed after the neurogenic induction, with a greater commitment of STRO-1+/c-Kit+/CD34+ hDPSCs. Moreover, undifferentiated STRO-1+/c-Kit+/CD34− hDPSCs did not show any expression of CD271 and nestin, typical neural markers, while STRO-1+/c-Kit+/CD34+ hDPSCs expressed both.ConclusionsThese results suggest that STRO-1+/c-Kit+/CD34− hDPSCs and STRO-1+/c-Kit+/CD34+ hDPSCs might represent two distinct stem cell populations, with different properties. These results trigger further analyses to deeply investigate the hypothesis that more than a single stem cell population resides within the dental pulp, to better define the flexibility of application of hDPSCs in regenerative medicine.

The Effects of <b><i>Hypericum perforatum</i></b> L. on the Proliferation, Osteogenic Differentiation, and Inflammatory Response of Mesenchymal Stem Cells from Different Niches

“…Interestingly, we identified 2 subpopulations of DP-MSCs in the flow cytometry analysis, which suggests the presence of multiple stem cell niches in the DP. This finding concurs with that of Pisciota et al [2015], showing that the heterogeneity of the stem cell population within human DP, particularly its peculiar embryological origin, may explain the existence of 2 different subpopulations. Of course, further studies could better sort and analyze subpopulations to identify their differences and proliferation potencies.…”

How has dental pulp stem cells isolation been conducted? A scoping review

“…27 This process is done to remove any cell clump, 28 and the filter pore size can be selected according to cell type. Our data showed that studies used filters with pore size of 40, 70 and 100 μm.…”

Stem Cells of Dental Origin: Current Research Trends and Key Milestones towards Clinical Application

“…Although the ISCT minimal criteria suggest that the absence of CD34 expression is a prerequisite for defining MSCs, more recent studies indicate that CD34 may be expressed in primitive pluripotent stromal stem cells but is progressively eliminated during cell culturing [63]. It has been previously shown that CD34/c-Kit and STRO-1 coexpression confirm a neural crest-derived DPSC niche [56], while, in more recent studies [61] two different (STRO-1+/c-Kit+/CD34− and STRO-1+/c-Kit+/CD34+) DPSC subpopulations with noticeable differences in their stem cell characteristics have been characterized.…”