Potential Role of Dental Stem Cells in the Cellular Therapy of Cerebral Ischemia

Abstract

Stem cell based therapies for cerebral ischemia (CI) utilize different cell sources including embryonic stem cells (ESCs), neural stem cells (NSCs), umbilical cord blood cells (UCBCs), mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), and some immortalized cell lines. To date, experimental studies showed that all of these cell sources have been successful to some extent in attenuating the ischemic damage and improving functional recovery after brain injury. Bone marrow derived MSCs seem to be the most widely used and well characterized cell source, which can be also employed for autologous transplantation. Currently, there are two main theories behind the therapeutic effect of stem cell transplantation for treating CIs. The first concept is cell replacement theory in which transplanted stem cells differentiate into progenitor and specialized somatic cells to supersede dying cells. The other hypothesis is based on immuno-modulatory, neuro-protective and neuro-trophic abilities of stem cells which help reducing stroke size and increasing the recovery of behavioral functions. Recent studies focusing on alternative stem cell sources have revealed that dental stem cells (DSCs), including dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs) and dental follicle cells (DFCs) possess properties of MSCs and NSCs. They differentiate into neural linage cells and some other cell types such as osteocytes, adipocytes, chondrocytes, muscle cells and hepatocytes. This review is intended to examine stem cell therapy approaches for CI and emphasize potential use of DSCs as an alternative cell source for the treatment of brain ischemia.

Human Dental Pulp Stem Cells Differentiate into Oligodendrocyte Progenitors Using the Expression of Olig2 Transcription Factor

“…They are multipotent stem cells derived from the mesenchyme and neural crest. They exhibit plasticity and multipotential capabilities and multidifferentiation potentials [Yalvac et al, 2009]. Stem cells isolated from the pulp of wisdom teeth have been differentiated into dentin-producer odontoblasts, adipocytes, osteoblasts, skeletal and/or smooth-muscle cells, neural cells, elastic cartilage cells and endothelial cells both in vitro and in vivo [Tatullo et al, 2014].…”

Induced in vitro differentiation of neural-like cells from human exfoliated deciduous teeth-derived stem cells

“…SHED transplantation is also capable of effectively reversing SLEassociated disorders in mice by increasing the ratio of regulatory T cells (Yamaza et al, 2010). It is supposed that these cells have immunosuppressive activity (Pierdomenico et al, 2005) which is so important in the field of regenerative medicine (Yalvac et al, 2009).…”

Differentiation of human stem cells is promoted by amphiphilic pluronic block copolymers

“…In addition to efficient isolation, they have MSC properties and were shown to differentiate into many cell types including osteo-, adipo-, and chondrocytes, as well as neurons. 20,29 Moreover, surgery-related issues are not independent risks or concerns when isolating hTGSCs, as they are harvested from dental waste material after intervention due to other (ie, dental) reasons. In addition to stem cells, novel tissue engineering approaches utilize suitable biomaterials that provide a molecular matrix as a biomimetic surface for cell attachment to promote proliferation and differentiation.…”