Angiogenic potential of human dental pulp stromal (stem) cells

Int J Immunopathol Pharmacol. 2009 Jul-Sep;22(3):699-706. doi: 10.1177/039463200902200315.

Abstract

Dental pulp is a heterogeneous microenviroment where unipotent progenitor and pluripotent mesenchymal stem cells cohabit. In this study we investigated whether human dental pulp stromal (stem) cells (DP-SCs) committed to the angiogenic fate. DP-SCs showed the specific mesenchymal immunophenotypical profile positive for CD29, CD44, CD73, CD105, CD166 and negative for CD14, CD34, CD45, in accordance with that reported for bone marrow-derived SCs. The Oct-4 expression in DP-SCs, evaluated through RT-PCR analysis, increased in relation with the number of the passages in cell culture and decreased after angiogenic induction. In agreement with their multipotency, DP-SCs differentiated toward osteogenic and adipogenic commitments. In angiogenic experiments, differentiation of DP-SCs, through vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) induction, was evaluated by in vitro matrigel assay and by cytometric analysis. Accordingly, endothelial-specific markers like Flt-1 and KDR were basally expressed and they increased after exposure to VEGF together with the occurrence of ICAM-1 and von Willebrand factor positive cells. In addition, VEGF-induced DP-SCs maintained endothelial cell-like features when cultured in a 3-D fibrin mesh, displaying focal organization into capillary-like structures. The DP-SC angiogenic potential may prove a remarkable tool for novel approaches to developing tissue-engineered vascular grafts which are useful when vascularization of ischemic tissues is required.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Adult Stem Cells / immunology
  • Adult Stem Cells / metabolism
  • Adult Stem Cells / physiology*
  • Biomarkers / metabolism
  • Cell Differentiation
  • Cell Lineage
  • Cell Separation
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Dental Pulp / cytology
  • Dental Pulp / immunology
  • Dental Pulp / metabolism
  • Dental Pulp / physiology*
  • Endothelial Cells / immunology
  • Endothelial Cells / metabolism
  • Endothelial Cells / physiology*
  • Fibrin / metabolism
  • Flow Cytometry
  • Humans
  • Immunophenotyping
  • Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1 / metabolism
  • Male
  • Mesenchymal Stem Cells / physiology*
  • Microscopy, Electron, Transmission
  • Neovascularization, Physiologic*
  • Octamer Transcription Factor-3 / genetics
  • RNA, Messenger / metabolism
  • Receptors, Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor / metabolism
  • Stromal Cells / immunology
  • Stromal Cells / metabolism
  • Stromal Cells / physiology*
  • Tissue Engineering*
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / metabolism
  • von Willebrand Factor / metabolism

Substances

  • Biomarkers
  • Octamer Transcription Factor-3
  • POU5F1 protein, human
  • RNA, Messenger
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A
  • von Willebrand Factor
  • Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1
  • Fibrin
  • Receptors, Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor