Influence of Ascorbic Acid as a Growth and Differentiation Factor on Dental Stem Cells Used in Regenerative Endodontic Therapies

Abstract

Background: Vitamin C is one of the major extracellular nonenzymatic antioxidants involved in the biosynthesis of collagen. It promotes the growth of fibroblasts, wound healing processes, and enhances the survival and differentiation of osteoblasts. The potential effects of ascorbic acid on human dental pulp cells (DPC) and the cells of the apical papilla (CAP) used in actual regenerative endodontic procedures remain largely unknown. In this study, we investigated the possible employment of ascorbic acid in the differentiation and regenerative therapies of DPC and CAP. Methods: Nine extracted human wisdom teeth were selected for this study. Subpopulations of stem cells within DPC and CAP were sorted with the mesenchymal stem cell marker STRO-1, followed by treatments with different concentrations (0 mM, 0.1 mM, 0.5 mM, and 1.0 mM) of ascorbic acid (AA), RT-PCR, and Western blot analysis. Results: FACS analysis revealed the presence of cell subpopulations characterized by a strong expression of mesenchymal stem cell marker STRO-1 and dental stem cell markers CD105, CD44, CD146, CD90, and CD29. Treatment of the cells with defined amounts of AA revealed a markedly increased expression of proliferation marker Ki-67, especially in the concentration range between 0.1 mM and 0.5 mM. Further investigations demonstrated that treatment with AA led to significantly increased expression of common stem cell markers OCT4, Nanog, and Sox2. The most potent proliferative and expressional effects of AA were observed in the concentration of 0.1 mM. Conclusions: AA might be a novel and potent growth promoter of human dental cells. Increasing the properties of human dental pulp cells and the cells of the apical papilla using AA could be a useful factor for further clinical developments of regenerative endodontic procedures.

Differential effects of ascorbic acid on monocytic cell morphology and protein modification: Shifting from pro-oxidative to antioxidant properties

“…During the last decades, differentiation studies were done utilizing PMA and retinoic acid as inducers whereas, more recently, ascorbic acid has been known to relate to cell differentiation [ 35 ], the molecular mechanism of which is still unclear. Differentiation studies on dental stem cells have been performed using ascorbic acid in the time range of 24–72 h; however, the stability of ascorbic acid over the period of several days in solution should be taken in account considering the instability of the compound [ 36 ].…”

Non-Impacted Third Molars: Angels or Devils?

“…Compared with impacted ones, non-impacted third molars are definitely the most suitable donor tooth, due to their easier extraction procedure and higher transplantation survival rate. Moreover, third molars have the potential to serve as stem cell banks [ 6 ]. Based on the accumulating achievements in dental-derived stem cell research, multiple stem cells have been isolated, including periodontal ligament stem cells, dental pulp stem cells, dental follicle stem cells, and so on.…”