Human stem cells from apical papilla can regenerate dentin-pulp complex / 南方医科大学学报

ABSTRACT

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To regenerate dentin-pulp complex by tissue engineering with human stem cells from apical papilla cells (SCAP) as the seed cells.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>SCAP was separated from from normal human impacted third molars with immature roots by outgrowth culture. The cells were then cultured in the differentiation medium for 3 weeks or in normal medium for 60 days, and analyzed for mineralization potential by Alizarin red staining. The osteo/odontogenic markers including alkaline phosphatase (ALP), bone sialoprotein (BSP), osteocalcin (OC) and dentin sialoprotein (DSP) were investigated by immunofluorescence staining and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. The co-cultured mixture of SCAP and HA/TCP, or HA/TCP alone was implanted subcutaneously on the back of nude mice for 8 weeks, and the implants were collected and examined by HE and immunohistochemical staining.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Round alizarin red-positive nodules formed in the isolated cells after cell culture in the differentiation medium for 3 weeks or in normal medium for 60 days with positive staining for osteo/odontogenic markers. SCAP with HA/TCP could regenerate pulp-dentin complex-like tissue in nude mice. The cells near the dentin-like tissue were positive for DSP. No mineral tissue was found in mice receiving HA/TCP implantation.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>SCAP may serve as a promising seed cell for dentin-pulp complex tissue engineering.</p>