Pre-odontoblasts, odontoblasts, or "odontocytes"

Odontoblasts or odontocytes, expression of stem cells markers and differentiation markers among human adult odontoblasts

Despite that, the odontoblasts of the dental pulp are considered a terminally differentiated type of cell. We were interested in investigating if they express any embryonic, mesenchymal, or neural stem cell markers, along with other differentiation markers they were reported to express previously. Methods: An immunohistochemistry study was performed on wisdom teeth extracted from healthy donors aged between 17 and 19 for dental reasons. Nine markers were tested: c-Myc, SOX2, MCAM, CD73, NCAM1, STRO1, osteocalcin, S100, and Thy1. Results: Odontoblasts expressed the following markers: embryonic stem cell markers SOX2, c-Myc, mesenchymal stem cell marker MCAM, the neural differentiation marker S100, and the osteogenic differentiation marker osteocalcin. Odontoblasts did not express the following markers: mesenchymal stem cell markers CD73, STRO1, Thy1, and neural stem cell marker NCAM1. Conclusion: These findings suggest that odontoblasts' expression of these stem cell markers may enable them to dedifferentiate under certain conditions. Further investigation is needed into whether dental materials could induce such dedifferentiation for functional dentin regeneration.

Odontogenic differentiation of inflamed dental pulp stem cells (IDPSCs) on polycaprolactone (PCL) nanofiber blended with hydroxyapatite

The objective of this study was to develop electrospun polycaprolactone (PCL) membranes blended with hydroxyapatite (HA) and evaluate its potential in differentiating inflamed dental pulp stem/progenitor cells (IDPSCs) into odontoblasts. Electrospun nanofibrous membrane consisting of PCL blended with 10 wt% and 15 wt% of HA were fabricated and the characterization was done by Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier- transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and contact angle analysis. Cytocompatibility, cell adhesion and odontogenic differentiation ability of the membranes were assessed by MTT, Live/Dead, SEM/DAPI and qPCR studies. The mineral deposition ability of the membranes with IDPSCs was estimated by SEM-EDS. The SEM analysis revealed a nanofibrous texture with an average fiber diameter of 140 nm for PCL, 220 nm for PCL10%HA and 250 nm for PCL15%HA. Among the membranes tested, PCL10%HA favored positive cell attachments, upregulated expression of DSPP and ALP gene and higher Ca/P ratio compared to PCL and PCL15%HA.

Dental stem cells: The role of biomaterials and scaffolds in developing novel therapeutic strategies

Dental stem cells (DSCs) are self-renewable cells that can be obtained easily from dental tissues, and are a desirable source of autologous stem cells. The use of DSCs for stem cell transplantation therapeutic approaches is attractive due to their simple isolation, high plasticity, immunomodulatory properties, and multipotential abilities. Using appropriate scaffolds loaded with favorable biomolecules, such as growth factors, and cytokines, can improve the proliferation, differentiation, migration, and functional capacity of DSCs and can optimize the cellular morphology to build tissue constructs for specific purposes. An enormous variety of scaffolds have been used for tissue engineering with DSCs. Of these, the scaffolds that particularly mimic tissue-specific micromilieu and loaded with biomolecules favorably regulate angiogenesis, cell-matrix interactions, degradation of extracellular matrix, organized matrix formation, and the mineralization abilities of DSCs in both in vitro and in vivo conditions. DSCs represent a promising cell source for tissue engineering, especially for tooth, bone, and neural tissue restoration. The purpose of the present review is to summarize the current developments in the major scaffolding approaches as crucial guidelines for tissue engineering using DSCs and compare their effects in tissue and organ regeneration.

Effect of MTA and CEM on Mineralization-Associated Gene Expression in Stem Cells Derived from Apical Papilla

INTRODUCTION

This study assessed the effect of mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) and calcium-enriched mixture (CEM) cement on odontogenic differentiation and mineralization of stem cells.

METHODS AND MATERIALS

After confirmation of stemness and homogeneity of stem cells derived from apical papilla (SCAPs) using flow cytometry, the cells were exposed for 3 weeks to either osteogenic medium (OS) or CEM extract+OS (CEM+OS) or MTA extract in OS (MTA+OS) or DMEM based regular culture media (negative control). Relative expression of alkaline phosphatase (ALP), dentine sialophosphoprotein (DSPP), osteocalcin (OSC), and osterix (SP7) were measured at days 14 and 21 using RT-qPCR method. At the same time points Alizarin Red staining method was used to assess mineralization potential of SCAPS. Gene expression changes analysis were made automatically using REST® software and a P<0.05 was considered significant.

RESULTS

After 2 weeks of exposure, expression of all genes were between 3 and 52 times the expression of GADPH (all were upregulated except SP7 in the control, P<0.05). After 3 weeks, relative expressions of the genes: ALP, SP7, DSPP, and OSC were respectively 275.9, 528.3, 98.4, and 603.7 times the expression of GADPH in the control group (OS). These were respectively 17.405, 29.2, 11.8, and 6.5 in CEM+OS group, and 163.8, 119.7, 102.5, and 723.9 in MTA+OS group. All of these were confirmed as upregulated (P<0.05) except for ALP and OSC of DM+CEM group. After 2 weeks, alizarin red staining showed similar mineralized nodules in OS, MTA+OS, and CEM+OS. In third week, larger nodules were seen in MTA+OS and OS, but not in CEM+OS.

CONCLUSION

After 2 weeks, gene expressions were almost comparable in OS, CEM+OS, and MTA+OS. After 3 weeks, OS and MTA+OS upregulated genes much greater than in 2nd week. However, upregulation in CEM+OS might not increase in 3rd week compared to those in 2nd week.

In vitro load-induced dentin collagen-stabilization against MMPs degradation

INTRODUCTION

Teeth are continuously subjected to stresses during mastication, swallowing and parafunctional habits, producing a significant reduction of the bonding efficacy in adhesive restorations. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the metalloproteinases (MMPs)-mediated dentin collagen degradation of hybrid layers created by using different demineralization processes, previous resin infiltration, and in vitro mechanical loading.

METHODS

Human dentin beams (0.75×0.75×5.0mm) were subjected to different treatments: (1) untreated dentin; (2) demineralization by 37% phosphoric acid (PA) or by 0.5% M ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA); (3) demineralization by PA, followed by application of Adper(™) Single Bond (SB); (4) demineralization by EDTA, followed by application of SB. In half of the specimens, mechanical loadings (100,000 cycles, 2Hz, 49N) were applied to dentin beams. Specimens were stored in artificial saliva. C-terminal telopeptide (ICTP), determinations (which indicates the amount of collagen degradation) (radioimmunoassay) were performed after 24h, 1 week and 4 weeks.

RESULTS

Load cycling decreased collagen degradation when dentin was untreated or PA-demineralized and EDTA-treated. ICTP values increased when both PA-demineralized and EDTA-treated and infiltrated with SB dentin beams were loaded, except in samples that were subjected to EDTA treatment and SB infiltration after 4w of storage, which showed similar values of collagenolytic activity than the non loaded specimens. Load cycling preserved the initial (24h) ICTP determination at any time point, in all groups of the study, except in PA-demineralized and SB infiltrated dentin which showed an increased of collagen degradation values, over time. This same trend was observed in all groups without loading.

INTERPRETATION

Mechanical loading enhances collagen's resistance to enzymatic degradation in natural and demineralized dentin. Mild acids (EDTA) lead to a lower volume of demineralized/unprotected collagen to be cleaved by MMPs. Load cycling produced an increase of collagen degradation when PA-demineralized dentin and EDTA-treated dentin were infiltrated with resin, but EDTA-treated dentin showed a constant collagenolytic degradation, over time.

Tooth slice/scaffold model of dental pulp tissue engineering

Multipotency is a defining characteristic of post-natal stem cells. The human dental pulp contains a small subpopulation of stem cells that exhibit multipotency, as demonstrated by their ability to differentiate into odontoblasts, neural cells, and vascular endothelial cells. These discoveries highlight the fundamental role of stem cells in the biology of the dental pulp and suggest that these cells are uniquely suited for dental pulp tissue-engineering purposes. The availability of experimental approaches specifically designed for studies of the differentiation potential of dental pulp stem cells has played an important role in these discoveries. The objective of this review is to describe the development and characterization of the Tooth Slice/Scaffold Model of Dental Pulp Tissue Engineering. In addition, we discuss the multipotency of dental pulp stem cells, focusing on the differentiation of these cells into functional odontoblasts and into vascular endothelial cells.

SHED differentiate into functional odontoblasts and endothelium

Studies on mechanisms underlying the differentiation of dental pulp stem cells are critical for the understanding of the biology of odontogenesis and for dental tissue engineering. Here, we tested the hypothesis that stem cells from exfoliated deciduous teeth (SHED) differentiate into functional odontoblasts and endothelial cells. SHED were seeded in tooth slice/scaffolds and implanted subcutaneously into immunodeficient mice. SHED differentiated into functional odontoblasts that generated tubular dentin, as determined by tetracycline staining and confocal microscopy. These cells also differentiated into vascular endothelial cells, as determined by beta-galactosidase staining of LacZ-tagged SHED. In vitro, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) induced SHED to express VEGFR2, CD31, and VE-Cadherin (markers of endothelium) and to organize into capillary-like sprouts. VEGF induced ERK and AKT phosphorylation (indicative of differentiation), while inhibiting phosphorylation of STAT3 (indicative of 'stemness'). Collectively, this work demonstrates that SHED can differentiate into angiogenic endothelial cells and odontoblasts capable of generating tubular dentin.

Molecular characterization of young and mature odontoblasts

The odontoblast is the secretory cell responsible for primary, secondary and tertiary reactionary dentinogenesis. We provide evidence that the changes in secretory activity of odontoblasts reflect differential transcriptional control and that common regulatory processes may exist between dentine and bone.

INTRODUCTION

Based on the hypothesis that differential dentine secretion (primary and secondary dentinogenesis) is associated with changes in the transcriptional control within the cell, we have investigated the transcriptome of odontoblasts at young and mature stages and subsequently used this information to identify key regulatory intracellular pathways involved in this process.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We used microarray analysis to compare the transcriptome of early stage (primary dentinogenesis) and late stage (secondary dentinogenesis) odontoblasts from 30 month old bovine teeth. Secondarily, we used post-array sqRT-PCR to confirm the differential expression of 23 genes in both populations of odontoblasts. Finally, immunohistochemistry was performed on bovine and murine tissues with antibodies to DMP1 and anti-phospho p38 proteins.

RESULTS

DMP-1 and osteocalcin gene expression were up-regulated in the mature odontoblasts, whereas collagen I, DSPP, TGF-beta1 and TGF-beta1R gene expression were down-regulated. Microarray analysis highlighted 574 differentially regulated genes (fold change>2 - p<0.05). This study supports further existing similarities between pulp cells and bone cells. Using post-array Sq-RT-PCR we characterized transcript levels of genes involved in the p38 MAP kinase pathway (PTPRR, NTRKK2, MAPK13, MAP2K6, MKK3). Differential p38 gene activation was confirmed by immunohistochemistry for p38 protein in murine teeth. Finally, immunohistochemistry for DMP1 indicated that odontoblasts involved in primary and secondary dentinogenesis may coexist in the same tooth.

CONCLUSION

As established in bone cells, the transcriptome of the odontoblast was shown here to evolve with their stage and functional maturity. Identification of the involved signalling pathways, as highlighted for p38, will enable the deciphering of physiology and pathology of mineralised tissue formation.

Periodontal breakdown in the Dmp1 null mouse model of hypophosphatemic rickets

Dentin Matrix Protein 1 (DMP1) is highly expressed in alveolar bone and cementum, which are important components of the periodontium. Therefore, we hypothesized that Dmp1 is critical for the integrity of the periodontium, and that deletion may lead to increased susceptibility to disease. An early-onset periodontal defect was observed in the Dmp1 null mouse, a mouse model of hypophosphatemic rickets. The alveolar bone is porous, with increased proteoglycan expression. The cementum is also defective, as characterized by irregular, punctate fluorochrome labeling and elevated proteoglycan. The osteocyte and cementocyte lacuno-canalicular system of both alveolar bone and cementum is abnormal, with irregular lacunar walls and fewer canaliculi. As a consequence, there is significant interproximal alveolar bone loss, combined with detachment between the periodontal ligament (PDL) and cementum. We propose that defective alveolar bone and cementum may account for the periodontal breakdown and increased susceptibility to bacterial infection in Dmp1 null mice.