Dental-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells: State of the Art

Abstract

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) could be identified in mammalian teeth. Currently, dental-derived MSCs (DMSCs) has become a collective term for all the MSCs isolated from dental pulp, periodontal ligament, dental follicle, apical papilla, and even gingiva. These DMSCs possess similar multipotent potential as bone marrow-derived MSCs, including differentiation into cells that have the characteristics of odontoblasts, cementoblasts, osteoblasts, chondrocytes, myocytes, epithelial cells, neural cells, hepatocytes, and adipocytes. Besides, DMSCs also have powerful immunomodulatory functions, which enable them to orchestrate the surrounding immune microenvironment. These properties enable DMSCs to have a promising approach in injury repair, tissue regeneration, and treatment of various diseases. This review outlines the most recent advances in DMSCs’ functions and applications and enlightens how these advances are paving the path for DMSC-based therapies.

Dental Pulp Stem Cell-Derived Secretome and Its Regenerative Potential

“…Moreover, the secretion of cytokines IL-6 and TNF-α, combined with trophic factors, enhances immunoregulation and reverts the damage to host neurons. Collectively, the published reports indicated that the hDPSC- and SHED- conditional medium can be effective in neurogeneration of damaged neuron tissue [ 35 , 102 , 115 , 116 ].…”

“…As an alternative solution in regenerative medicine or tissue engineering, the application of MSCs offers a wide range of therapeutic possibilities [ 134 , 135 ]. A majority of reports utilized an exogenous, autologous, or allogeneic MSC delivery into the injury site [ 9 , 35 , 42 , 56 , 59 , 60 , 116 , 136 ]. However, other studies attempted to recruit endogenous MSCs through the administration of the bioactive molecules released by BMMSCs, which may activate or inhibit different signaling pathways, enhancing the regeneration of bone defects [ 136 , 137 ].…”

“…However, other studies attempted to recruit endogenous MSCs through the administration of the bioactive molecules released by BMMSCs, which may activate or inhibit different signaling pathways, enhancing the regeneration of bone defects [ 136 , 137 ]. As with BMMSCs, hDPSCs release factors that show a great regenerative potential [ 6 , 35 , 116 ]. Bone repair is directly associated with osteogenesis, which involves bone formation through osteoblasts [ 116 , 138 ].…”

“…As with BMMSCs, hDPSCs release factors that show a great regenerative potential [ 6 , 35 , 116 ]. Bone repair is directly associated with osteogenesis, which involves bone formation through osteoblasts [ 116 , 138 ]. This process is regulated by various pathways as presented in Figure 5 , but not completely elucidated.…”

“…Interestingly, the SHED-CM was shown to contain factors correlated with angiogenesis, such as VEGF, and osteogenesis, such as OPG, OPN, BMP-2, and BMP-4 [ 138 ]. It is postulated that new bone formation is strictly related with angiogenesis [ 116 ]. Dental stem cells not only stimulate blood vessel formation via paracrine angiogenic factors, but also participate directly in angiogenesis by differentiating into endothelial cells (ECs) [ 116 ].…”