Where will the stem cells lead us? Prospects for dentistry in the 21 century

Characterization of Stem Cells From Pulp Tissue of Exfoliated Deciduous Teeth, Impacted Third Molars and Apical Papilla of Impacted Third Molars With Open Apices: A Comparative Analysis

Background and Objective:

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) from many different dental tissues have enormous potential in tissue regeneration and immunotherapy. MSCs isolated and cultured in many different ways are known for their heterogenecity expressed through multiple phenotypes which in turn may reflect their distinct functional properties; it is important to analyze and compare the characteristics of each cell lines cultured. The objective of this study is to isolate MSCs from 3 different sources and analyze and compare their morphological and phenotypic characteristics.

Materials and Methods:

The samples were collected and mononuclear cells were isolated using enzymatic digestion method and the adherent cell cultures were maintained till passage 3 and the harvested cells were analyzed for different phenotypic markers such as CD34, CD45, CD29, CD105, CD73, CD90, SOX2, OCT3/4, and neuroectodermal stem cell marker (NESTIN). The comparative statistical analysis of characterized cells was done by standard deviation methods using SPSS software (Canada).

Results:

Our study was successful in isolation, culture, and characterization of stem cells from all the mentioned 3 sources. All established cultures were more than 95% positive for mesenchymal markers and less than 5% positive for hematopoietic markers. The cells also expressed pluripotency markers and neural markers. Further, the comparison of mean positive expressions among the groups using analysis of variance showed the different significance levels of expression of different markers in groups.

Conclusion:

MSCs from different sources show promising expression of different markers; therefore, it can be concluded that cells isolated from dental sources can be used for treating various neurodegenerative diseases in the future.

Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells modified by angiogenin-1 promotes tissue repair in mice with oxygen-induced retinopathy of prematurity by promoting retinal stem cell proliferation and differentiation

Retinopathy has become one of the major factors that lead to blindness worldwide. Although many clinical therapies are concerned about such disease, most of them focus on symptoms alleviation. In this study, we aim to investigate whether coculture retinal stem cells (RSCs) with bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells transfected with angiogenin-1 (Ang-1-BMSCs) affects the damaged retinal tissue of oxygen-induced retinopathy of prematurity (OIR-ROP) mice. After OIR-ROP mouse model establishment, Ang-1-BMSCs, RSCs, and OIR-ROP retinal tissues were cocultured in a a transwell chamber. RSCs proliferation and the expression of Ang-1, insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) in the supernatant of RSCs, as well as β-tubulin and protein kinase C (PKC) expression were evaluated. Finally, the repair of OIR-ROP mice retinal tissues was observed by injecting Ang-1-BMSCs + RSCs. In the OIR-ROP mouse model, RSCs cocultured with OIR-ROP retinal tissues could be induced to differentiate into cells expressing β-tubulin and PKC and promote the expression of Ang-1 and IGF-1. coculture of Ang-1-BMSCs further enhanced the proliferation and differentiation of RSCs by promoting the expression of Ang-1 and IGF-1. Coculture of RSCs + Ang-1-BMSCs induced differentiation of Ang-1-BMSCs through interaction among intercellular factors and restored the damaged retinal tissue of OIR-ROP mice. Collectively, our study provided evidence that coculture of Ang-1-BMSCs and RSCs could promote the proliferation and differentiation of RSCs and improve the treatment for the damaged retina tissue of OIR-ROP mice.

Current and emerging biomarkers of frailty in the elderly

The term “frailty” is used to describe a subset of older adults who appear weaker and more vulnerable than their age-matched counterparts, despite having similar comorbidities, demography, sex, and age. The diagnosis of frailty is usually clinical and based on specific criteria, which are sometimes inconsistent. Therefore, there is an increasing need to identify and validate robust biomarkers for this condition. In this review, we summarize current evidence on the validity and practicality of the most commonly used biomarkers for frailty, while also comparing them with new upcoming strategies to identify this condition.

Concepts of Dhatu Siddhanta (theory of tissues formation and differentiation) and Rasayana; probable predecessor of stem cell therapy

To maintain health and to cure diseases through Rasayana (rejuvenation) therapy along with main treatment is the unique approach of Ayurveda. The basic constituent unit of a living being is always a functional cell. Question arises from where it is generated? How it attains its final specific differentiation form? As age progresses, various changes occur at every cell level and cell undergoes to adaptation accordingly. Microenvironment for cell nourishment diminishes with age or as disease condition persists. In this context, Acharyas had contributed and documented various facts and theories through their insight wisdom. Hidden secretes in the basic principles of any medical system are needed to be explained in terms of contemporary knowledge. Contemporary research areas should be opened to include various explanations of different fields of ancient thoughts to support these new doctrines, if any. This review may be helpful to open the door of future research area in the field of reverse scientific approach of Ayurveda in the context of Dhatu Siddhanta (theory of tissues formation and differentiation) and theory of stem cell.