The effect of scaffold architecture on odontogenic differentiation of human dental pulp stem cells

Abstract

Previous studies have shown the superiority of nanofibrous (NF) poly(L-lactic acid) (PLLA) scaffolds in supporting the osteogenic differentiation of a few cell types and bone regeneration. The aim of the current study was to investigate whether NF-PLLA scaffolds are advantageous for the odontogenic differentiation and mineralization of human dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs) over solid-walled (SW) PLLA scaffolds. The vitro studies demonstrated that, compared with SW scaffolds, NF scaffolds enhanced attachment and proliferation as well as odontogenic differentiation of human DPSCs. The alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity and the expression of odontogenic genes of human DPSCs was increased on NF scaffolds compared with that on SW scaffolds. In addition, more mineral deposition was observed on the NF scaffolds as demonstrated by von Kossa staining, calcium content measurement and scanning electron microscopy. Consistent with the in vitro studies, NF scaffolds promoted odontogenic differentiation and hard tissue formation compared with SW scaffolds after 8 weeks of ectopic transplantation in nude mice as confirmed by von Kossa staining, Masson’s trichrome staining and immunohistochemical staining for dentin sialoprotein. In conclusion, NF-PLLA scaffolds enhanced the odontogenic differentiation of human DPSCs and mineralization both in vitro and in vivo, and are promising scaffolds for dentin regeneration.

Effects of Micro-Electrical Stimulation on Regulation of Behavior of Electro-Active Stem Cells

“…Therefore, as a preliminary study, we investigated mES as a method to differentiate DPSCs. In particular, we assayed osteocalcin (OCN) as a marker of osteogenesis, since DPSCs have potential applications in animal and human bone regeneration (Gronthos et al 2000;Jo et al 2007;Wang et al 2011). Although more detailed investigations are necessary, our data indicated that mES increased OCN expression in DPSCs (Figure 8).…”

“…Animal or human stem cells are characterized by their unique ability to differentiate into various types of cells, yielding an important key in the regenerative medicine including animal tissue regeneration (Gronthos et al 2000;Jo et al 2007;Richardson et al 2007;Wang et al 2011;Kim et al 2013). It is therefore important to obtain a large number of stem cells and develop technology for regulating them for stem cellbased biological engineering applications.…”

“…It is therefore important to obtain a large number of stem cells and develop technology for regulating them for stem cellbased biological engineering applications. Stem cells are exposed on various physical and biochemical environments that enable them to regulate or maintain appropriate biological functions including proliferation in animal or human systems (Gronthos et al 2000;Jo et al 2007;Richardson et al 2007;Wang et al 2011;Kim et al 2013;. In general, the traditional biologists have focused on the behavior of stem cells through 'cocktail' of biochemical factors such as proteins and hormones ).…”

“…Dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs) can be easily obtained by tooth of animal or human and are a potential cell source for tissue regeneration, because of their remarkable self-renewal capability and multiple differentiation potentials, much like those of bone marrow stem cells (Gronthos et al 2000;Jo et al 2007;Wang et al 2011). In particular, the DPSCs are putatively derived from neural crest cells, suggesting that the DPSCs may be sensitively responded by electric environments for their function (Jo et al 2007).…”

Dental Stem Cells Characterization and Bone Regenerative Potential in Oral Medicine

“…Also, greater mineral deposition has been achieved in the matrix in vitro. Higher ALP activity, development of dense tissue (detected via sialoprotein concentration) and collagen levels have also been reported in vivo [37].…”