Abstract
Stem cells from human dental pulp have been considered as an alternative source of adult stem cells in tissue engineering because of their potential to differentiate into multiple cell lineages. Recently, polysaccharide based hydrogels have become especially attractive as matrices for the repair and regeneration of a wide variety of tissues and organs. The incorporation of inorganic minerals as hydroxyapatite nanoparticles can modulate the performance of the scaffolds with potential applications in tissue engineering. The aim of this study was to verify the osteogenic and odontogenic differentiation of dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs) cultured on a carboxymethyl cellulose—hydroxyapatite hybrid hydrogel. Human DPSCs were seeded on carboxymethyl cellulose—hydroxyapatite hybrid hydrogel and on carboxymethyl cellulose hydrogel for 1, 3, 5, 7, 14, and 21 days. Cell viability assay and ultramorphological analysis were carried out to evaluate biocompatibility and cell adhesion. Real Time PCR was carried out to demonstrate the expression of osteogenic and odontogenic markers. Results showed a good adhesion and viability in cells cultured on carboxymethyl cellulose—hydroxyapatite hybrid hydrogel, while a low adhesion and viability was observed in cells cultured on carboxymethyl cellulose hydrogel. Real Time PCR data demonstrated a temporal up-regulation of osteogenic and odontogenic markers in dental pulp stem cells cultured on carboxymethyl cellulose—hydroxyapatite hybrid hydrogel. In conclusion, our in vitro data confirms the ability of DPSCs to differentiate toward osteogenic and odontogenic lineages in presence of a carboxymethyl cellulose—hydroxyapatite hybrid hydrogel. Taken together, our results provide evidence that DPSCs and carboxymethyl cellulose—hydroxyapatite hybrid hydrogel could be considered promising candidates for dental pulp complex and periodontal tissue engineering.
Highlights
The goal of tissue engineering and regenerative medicine is to improve or restore the functions of diseased tissues and organs
Five types of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have been isolated from dental tissues and demonstrated to have high proliferative and multilineage differentiation properties: dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs; Gronthos et al, 2000; Tirino et al, 2011; Pisciotta et al, 2012, 2015; La Noce et al, 2014), stem cells from human exfoliated deciduous teeth (SHEDs; Miura et al, 2003), periodontal ligament stem cells (PDLSCs; Seo et al, 2004), dental follicle progenitor stem cells (DFPCs; Morsczeck et al, 2005) and stem cells from apical papilla (SCAPs; Sonoyama et al, 2008)
Light Microscopy of DPSCs Differentiated on carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) and CMC-HA Hydrogels
Summary
The goal of tissue engineering and regenerative medicine is to improve or restore the functions of diseased tissues and organs. Five types of MSCs have been isolated from dental tissues and demonstrated to have high proliferative and multilineage differentiation properties: dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs; Gronthos et al, 2000; Tirino et al, 2011; Pisciotta et al, 2012, 2015; La Noce et al, 2014), stem cells from human exfoliated deciduous teeth (SHEDs; Miura et al, 2003), periodontal ligament stem cells (PDLSCs; Seo et al, 2004), dental follicle progenitor stem cells (DFPCs; Morsczeck et al, 2005) and stem cells from apical papilla (SCAPs; Sonoyama et al, 2008). It has been shown that DPSCs can be differentiated by modulation with growth factors, transcriptional factors, extracellular matrix proteins, and receptor molecules into different cell types including odontoblasts, osteoblasts, chondrocytes, cardiomyocytes, neuron cells, adipocytes, corneal epithelial cells, melanoma cells, and insulin secreting Beta cells (Pisciotta et al, 2012; La Noce et al, 2014; Paino et al, 2014; Potdar and Jethmalani, 2015)
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