Session II: Cells and Extracellular Matrices of the Dental Pulp — C.T. Hanks, Chairman

Abstract

The dental pulp is a loose connective tissue, characterized by its specific anatomical location. Its extracellular components are obvious subjects for study, since such components are largely responsible for the physiological properties of the tissue. Several clinically important processes occur extracellularly, e.g., defense mechanisms such as inflammatory reactions and formation of calcified tissue. The dental mesenchyme has a crucial role during early tooth morphogenesis. The dental pulp, or rather the dental papilla, seems to have only an indirect role during dentinogenesis. This review discusses proteoglycans and glycosaminoglycans, fibronectin and other non-collagenous proteins, and the different types of collagen that have been studied in pulp connective tissue. With regard to its biochemical constituents, the pulp is similar to other loose connective tissues. Collagen type I is the major fibrous component, but collagen type III also constitutes a large portion. Fibronectin is present, as is a high content of proteoglycan. In the proteoglycans, all normally occurring connective tissue glycosaminoglycans can be demonstrated. The composition of the pulpal extracellular matrix during tooth development is quite different from that of the mature tooth. Thus, it is important not to draw any too-far-reaching conclusions about the situation in human pulp from results obtained by studying pulp from animal teeth with ongoing dentinogenesis. In spite of their common ancestry, pulp and dentin differ considerably in extracellular matrix composition. Proteoglycans and collagen type I are present in dentin. No type III collagen or fibronectin can be found in the dentin, although it is present in the dental pulp.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Effect ofAloe vera. on Rat Pulp Tissue

“…Dentin and pulp are considered a single structure, denominated dentin-pulp complex, because of the intimate relationship between the peripheral pulp cell layer and its prolongation inside the dentinal tubules (Kitasako et al, 1999;Linde, 1985).…”

A 3D ex vivo mandible slice system for longitudinal culturing of transplanted dental pulp progenitor cells

“…Evidence is emerging which points to mineralized matrix itself as a significant source of relevant growth factors (BMP‐2, VEGF, and TGFβ1 have been shown to have a stimulatory effect of MSCs resident within the dental pulp 10, 11). The mechanistic role of the matrix in which dental pulp progenitor cells (DPPCs) reside is not clearly defined—it is comprised primarily of collagen types (I&III), fibronectin and proteoglycans 12. DPPCs are heterogeneous in nature and numerous studies suggest significant clonal variation may exist.…”

Scaffolds to Control Inflammation and Facilitate Dental Pulp Regeneration

“…Its basic structure is well characterized and has been widely described (1–3). The pulp tissue itself is composed of collagen type I and type III, along with a variety of non-collagenous proteins, including a large proteoglycan component (4). There are a variety of cell types present in the pulpal tissue, including immune cells, fibroblasts, mesenchymal progenitor cells, vascular cells and nerve cells (5–11).…”