Regeneration characteristics of different dental derived stem cell sheets.

Abstract

BACKGROUND\nAlthough cell sheets have gained much interest as a non-scaffold strategy for tissue regeneration, the regenerative features of different cell sheets remain unclear.\n\n\nOBJECTIVE\nIn this study, we aimed to compare the regeneration characteristics of cell sheets derived from dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs), periodontal ligament stem cells (PDLSCs), and stem cells of the apical papilla (SCAPs).\n\n\nMETHODS\nDPSCs, PDLSCs, and SCAPs from the same individual were acquired and induced to form sheets using 20 μg/mL vitamin C. Immunofluorescence staining was used to detect the expression of collagen I, fibronectin, integrin β1, and vimentin. Real time PCR was used to determine NANOG, OCT4, SOX2, and TERT gene expression. The cell sheets with HA/TCP were transplanted into nude mice subcutaneously to evaluate tissue regeneration characteristics.\n\n\nRESULTS\nNo obvious differences were found in the histological structure and extracellular matrix protein expression between DPSC, PDLSC, and SCAP sheets. DPSC sheet showed higher expression of OCT4 and TERT than PDLSC and SCAP sheets. All three cell sheets displayed the ability of mineral tissue formation and highly expressed periostin. The tissue derived from DPSC sheet showed higher CD31 expression and porous fibers compared with that from the others. The tissue fibers formed from PDLSC sheet were directionally arranged, while the tissue derived from SCAP sheet showed highest mineral tissue formation.\n\n\nCONCLUSION\nAlthough in vitro DPSC, PDLSC, and SCAP cell sheets have similar characteristics, their regenerative characteristics in vivo are different, with each showing potential application for regeneration of different tissues. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.