Comparative characterization of stem cells from human exfoliated deciduous teeth, dental pulp, and bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells

Biochem Biophys Res Commun. 2018 Jun 18;501(1):193-198. doi: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2018.04.213. Epub 2018 May 8.

Abstract

Objectives: Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are used clinically in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. The proliferation and osteogenic differentiation potential of MSCs vary according to factors such as tissue source and cell population heterogeneity. Dental tissue has received attention as an easily accessible source of high-quality stem cells. In this study, we compared the in vitro characteristics of dental pulp stem cells from deciduous teeth (SHED), human dental pulp stem cells (hDPSCs), and human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (hBMSCs).

Materials and methods: SEHD and hDPSCs were isolated from dental pulp and analyzed in comparison with human bone marrow (hBM)MSCs. Proliferative capacity of cultured cells was analyzed using a bromodeoxyuridine immunoassay and cell counting. Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) levels were monitored to assess osteogenic differentiation. Mineralization was evaluated by alizarin red staining. Levels of bone marker mRNA were examined by real-time PCR analysis.

Results: SHED were highly proliferative compared with hDPSCs and hBMSCs. SHED, hDPSCs, and hBMSCs exhibited dark alizarin red staining on day 21 after induction of osteogenic differentiation, and staining of hBMSCs was significantly higher than that of SHED and hDPSCs by spectrophotometry. ALP staining was stronger in hBMSCs compared with SHED and hDPSCs, and ALP activity was significantly higher in hBMSCs compared with SHED or hDPSCs. SHED showed significantly higher expression of the Runx2 and ALP genes compared with hBMSCs, based on real-time PCR analysis. In bFGF, SHED showed significantly higher expression of the basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) gene compared with hDPSCs and hBMSCs.

Conclusion: SHED exhibited higher proliferative activity and levels of bFGF and BMP-2 gene expression compared with BMMSCs and DPSCs. The ease of harvesting cells and ability to avoid invasive surgical procedures suggest that SHED may be a useful cell source for application in bone regeneration treatments.

Keywords: Bone marrow–derived mesenchymal stem cells; Dental pulp stem cells; Exfoliated deciduous teeth.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Alkaline Phosphatase / genetics
  • Alkaline Phosphatase / metabolism
  • Biomarkers / metabolism
  • Bone Marrow Cells / cytology
  • Bone Marrow Cells / metabolism
  • Bone Morphogenetic Protein 2 / genetics
  • Bone Regeneration
  • Calcification, Physiologic
  • Cell Proliferation
  • Core Binding Factor Alpha 1 Subunit / genetics
  • Dental Pulp / cytology*
  • Dental Pulp / metabolism*
  • Fibroblast Growth Factor 2 / genetics
  • Gene Expression
  • Genetic Markers
  • Humans
  • In Vitro Techniques
  • Mesenchymal Stem Cells / cytology*
  • Mesenchymal Stem Cells / metabolism*
  • Osteogenesis
  • Tissue Engineering
  • Tooth, Deciduous / cytology*
  • Tooth, Deciduous / metabolism*

Substances

  • BMP2 protein, human
  • Biomarkers
  • Bone Morphogenetic Protein 2
  • Core Binding Factor Alpha 1 Subunit
  • Genetic Markers
  • RUNX2 protein, human
  • Fibroblast Growth Factor 2
  • Alkaline Phosphatase