• Dental stem cells
• Flow cytometry
• Immunomodulation
• Regenerative medicine
• Tissue regeneration

• Alginate
• Bioink
• Bone regeneration
• Collagen
• Human dental pulp stem/stromal cells
• Hybrid scaffold
• Hydroxyapatite
• Rat model

• Tissue Engineering/methods
• Tissue Scaffolds/chemistry
• Hydrogels/chemistry
• Humans
• Animals
• Dental Pulp/cytology
• Osteogenesis/drug effects
• Rats
• Bone Regeneration/drug effects
• Polyesters/chemistry
• Cell Differentiation/drug effects
• Durapatite/chemistry
• Durapatite/pharmacology
• Alginates/chemistry
• Biocompatible Materials/chemistry
• Biocompatible Materials/pharmacology
• Stem Cells/drug effects
• Bone and Bones/drug effects
• Stromal Cells
• Cell Survival/drug effects

• Humans
• Anthraquinones/chemistry
• Cells, Cultured
• Dental Pulp/cytology
• Dental Pulp/metabolism
• Lipopolysaccharides/metabolism
• Lipopolysaccharides/pharmacology
• NF-kappa B/antagonists & inhibitors
• NF-kappa B/metabolism
• Nitriles/pharmacology
• Osteogenesis/drug effects
• Periodontal Ligament/cytology
• Stem Cells/drug effects
• Stem Cells/metabolism
• Sulfones/pharmacology

• Biomaterial
• Mesenchymal stem cell
• Scaffold
• Systematic review
• bone

• Humans
• Bone Regeneration
• Mesenchymal Stem Cells/cytology
• Tissue Scaffolds
• Mesenchymal Stem Cell Transplantation
• Quality of Life
• Clinical Trials as Topic

• Aristotle University of Thessaloniki

• Attachment
• Dental implants
• Infrared diode laser
• Osteogenic differentiation
• Periodontal ligament stem cells

• Humans
• Osteogenesis/genetics
• Titanium/pharmacology
• Dental Implants
• Lasers, Semiconductor
• Periodontal Ligament
• Stem Cells
• Cell Differentiation
• Cell Proliferation
• Cells, Cultured

• National Research Centre Egypt

• Porphyromonas gingivalis
• Wnt4
• dental pulp stem cell
• docking
• endodontic pulpitis
• molecular simulation

• Bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP2)
• Dentin
• Dentin matrix protein-1 (DMP1)
• Nanoparticles
• Tissue engineering

• Humans
• Animals
• Mice
• Tissue Engineering
• Tissue Scaffolds/chemistry
• Cell Differentiation
• Cells, Cultured
• Stem Cells/metabolism
• Mice, Inbred C57BL
• DNA/metabolism
• Nanoparticles
• Calcium Phosphates/metabolism
• Dentin
• Plasmids
• Dental Pulp
• Bone Morphogenetic Protein 2/metabolism

• Dental mesenchymal stem cells
• Extracellular vesicles
• Osteogenic differentiation
• Regenerative dentistry
• miRNAs

• dental pulp necrosis
• growth factors
• scaffolds
• stem cells
• tissue engineering

Mesenchymal stem cells isolated from the bone marrow have a great differentiation potential, being able to produce many cell lines, including osteoblasts. Osteoblasts have an important role in bone remodeling by actively participating in the maturation and mineralization of the extracellular matrix. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of laser application on the viability and proliferation of osteoblasts. Methods: Alveolar bone was harvested from 8 patients and placed into a culture medium to induce proliferation of mesenchymal stem cells. These were differentiated into osteoblasts in special conditions. The cells from each patient were split into two groups, one was treated using a 980 nm laser (1W output power, pulsed mode, 20 s, 50 mm distance) (laser “+”) and the other one did not receive laser stimulation (laser “-”). Results: Using the confocal microscope, we determined that the cells from the laser “+” group were more active when compared to the laser “-” group. The number of cells in the laser “+” group was significantly greater compared to the laser “-” group as the ImageJ-NIH software showed (p = 0.0072). Conclusions: Laser application increases the proliferation rate of osteoblasts and intensifies their cellular activity.

• Hepatocyte growth factor
• Neural crest
• Osteo/odontogenesis
• Periodontal tissue regeneration
• Plasticity
• Stem cells from apical papilla
• Stress response

• Animals
• Humans
• Hepatocyte Growth Factor/pharmacology
• Odontogenesis/physiology
• Cells, Cultured
• Osteogenesis
• Stem Cells
• Cell Differentiation
• Hypoxia
• Cell Proliferation

Despite the recent progress in the differentiation strategies of stem cells into pancreatic beta cell lineage, current protocols are not optimized for different cell types. The purpose of this study is to investigate and compare the ability of stem cells derived from dental pulp (DPSCs) and periodontal ligament (PDLSCs) as two anatomically different dental tissues to differentiate into pancreatic beta cells while assessing the most suitable protocol for each cell type.

DPSCs & PDLSCs were isolated and characterized morphologically and phenotypically and then differentiated into pancreatic beta cells using two protocols. Differentiated cells were assessed by qRT-PCR for the expression of pancreatic related markers Foxa-2, Sox-17, PDX-1, Ngn-3, INS and Gcg. Functional assessment of differentiation was performed by quantification of Insulin release via ELISA.

Protocol 2 implementing Geltrex significantly enhanced the expression levels of all tested genes both in DPSCs & PDLSCs. Both DPSCs & PDLSCs illustrated improved response to increased glucose concentration in comparison to undifferentiated cells. Moreover, DPSCs demonstrated an advanced potency towards pancreatic lineage differentiation over PDLSCs under both protocols.

In conclusion, the current study reports the promising potential of dental derived stem cells in differentiating into pancreatic lineage through selection of the right protocol.

• PRISMA
• bioactive compounds
• dental
• mesenchymal cells
• oral cavity
• oral stem cells
• osteogenic proliferation

• Bone Marrow Cells
• Mesenchymal Stem Cells/metabolism
• Periodontal Ligament
• Plant Extracts/metabolism
• Stem Cells

• Microfluidics
• Nanoscience and technology

• R21 CA256084 NCI NIH HHS
• R21 DK128730 NIDDK NIH HHS
• R21 GM142174 NIGMS NIH HHS

The impact of induced (smoking) and metabolic stress (diabetes) on dental stem cells with respect to pre-impact consideration on differentiation and bone formation were investigated. The progenitor stem cells isolated from dental pulp, follicle and gingival tissues were phenotyped and subjected to nicotine and high glucose stress mimicking the smoking and diabetic condition in-vitro. The results showed that the cellular viability post treatment with 100 µM nicotine and 10uM glucose was about 86% to 89% respectively in all the three cell types while about 73% in combined nicotine and glucose treatment. No variation in the expression of pro-inflammatory TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-12 in all the three cell types were noticed. The observed viability in nicotine treated cells were due to elevated IL-6, IL-10 while in glucose was due to brain derived neurotropic factor (BDNF). Higher expression of IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, TGF-β and heme oxygenase −1 (HO-1) were found high in both stressors treated cells. Differentiation and mineralization markers Alkaline phosphatase (ALP), Collagenase I (COL1), Osteocalcin, Runt related transcription factor 2 (RUNX2), Osteopontin and Bone sialoprotein were expressed in the dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs) and gingival mesenchymal stem cells (GMSCs) at varying levels post nicotine or glucose treatment while not significantly observed in dental follicular stem cells (DFSCs). Therefore, it is evident that the stem cells of varied dental origin responded to the stress are more or less uniform with physiological delay in differentiation into osteoblast. It is evident from the study that, the metabolic or induced stress subverts the process of regenerative healing by mesenchymal stromal cells with their anatomical niche.

• Cytokines
• Dental follicular stem cells
• Gingival stem cells
• Pulpal stromal stem cells
• Survival and differentiation genes

As previously described by several authors, dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs), when adequately stimulated, may acquire a neuronal-like phenotype acting as a favorable source of stem cells in the generation of nerves. Besides, it is known that hypoxia conditioning is capable of stimulating cell differentiation as well as survival and self-renewal, and that multiple growth factors, including Epidermal Growth factor (EGF) and basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), are often involved in the induction of the neuronal differentiation of progenitor cells. In this work, we investigated the role of hypoxia in the commitment of DPSCs into a neuronal phenotype. These cells were conditioned with hypoxia (O₂ 1%) for 5 and 16 days; subsequently, we analyzed the proliferation rate and morphology, and tested the cells for neural and stem markers. Moreover, we verified the possible autocrine/paracrine role of DPSCs in the induction of neural differentiation by comparing the secretome profile of the hypoxic and normoxic conditioned media (CM). Our results showed that the hypoxia-mediated DPSC differentiation was time dependent. Moreover, conditioned media (CM derived from DPSCs stimulated by hypoxia were able, in turn, to induce the neural differentiation of SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells and undifferentiated DPSCs. In conclusion, under the herein-mentioned conditions, hypoxia seems to favor the differentiation of DPSCs into neuron-like cells. In this way, we confirm the potential clinical utility of differentiated neuronal DPSCs, and we also suggest the even greater potential of CM-derived-hypoxic DPSCs that could more readily be used in regenerative therapies.

The aim of this systematic review was to evaluate the application of potential therapeutic signaling molecules on complete dentin-pulp complex and pulp tissue regeneration in orthotopic and ectopic animal studies. A search strategy was performed according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) statement in the MEDLINE/PubMed database. Animal studies evaluating the application of signaling molecules to pulpectomized teeth for pulp tissue or dentin-pulp complex regeneration were included. From 2530 identified records, 18 fulfilled the eligibility criteria and were subjected to detailed qualitative analysis. Among the applied molecules, basic fibroblast growth factor, vascular endothelial growth factor, bone morphogenetic factor-7, nerve growth factor, and platelet-derived growth factor were the most frequently studied. The clinical, radiographical and histological outcome measures included healing of periapical lesions, root development, and apical closure, cellular recolonization of the pulp space, ingrowth of pulp-like connective tissue (vascularization and innervation), mineralized dentin-like tissue formation along the internal dentin walls, and odontoblast-like cells in contact with the internal dentin walls. The results indicate that signaling molecules play an important role in dentin/pulp regeneration. However, further studies are needed to determine a more specific subset combination of molecules to achieve greater efficiency towards the desired tissue engineering applications.

• Dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs)
• LC-MS/MS
• Microenvironmental conditions
• Proteomic analysis
• Secretome

• Simvastatin
• electrospinning
• periodontal ligament stem cell
• periodontal regeneration
• polycaprolactone

• 3T3 Cells
• Alkaline Phosphatase/biosynthesis
• Animals
• Biocompatible Materials/chemistry
• Biomimetics
• Cattle
• Cell Differentiation
• Cell Proliferation
• Ceramics
• Collagen Type I/biosynthesis
• Dentin/chemistry
• Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
• Drug Delivery Systems
• Gene Deletion
• Integrin-Binding Sialoprotein/biosynthesis
• Mice
• Mice, Nude
• Osteogenesis
• Periodontal Ligament/drug effects
• Polyesters/chemistry
• Regeneration
• Simvastatin/administration & dosage
• Stem Cells/cytology
• Tissue Scaffolds

Human mesenchymal stem cells from dental pulp (hMSC-DP), including dental pulp stem cells from permanent teeth and exfoliated deciduous teeth, possess unique MSC characteristics such as expression of specific surface molecules and a high proliferation rate. Since hMSC-DP have been applied in numerous clinical studies, it is necessary to establish criteria to evaluate their potency for cell-based therapies.

We compared stem cell properties of hMSC-DP at passages 5, 10 and 20 under serum (SE) and serum-free (SF) culture conditions. Cell morphology, proliferation capacity, chromosomal stability, surface phenotypic profiles, differentiation and immunoregulation ability were evaluated. In addition, we assessed surface molecule that regulates hMSC-DP proliferation and immunomodulation.

hMSC-DP exhibited a decrease in proliferation rate and differentiation potential, as well as a reduced expression of CD146 when cultured under continuous passage conditions. SF culture conditions failed to alter surface marker expression, chromosome stability or proliferation rate when compared to SE culture. SF-cultured hMSC-DP were able to differentiate into osteogenic, adipogenic and neural cells, and displayed the capacity to regulate immune responses. Notably, the expression level of CD146 showed a positive correlation with proliferation, differentiation, and immunomodulation, suggesting that CD146 can serve as a surface molecule to evaluate the potency of hMSC-DP. Mechanistically, we found that CD146 regulates proliferation and immunomodulation of hMSC-DP through the ERK/p-ERK pathway.

This study indicates that SF-cultured hMSC-DP are appropriate for producing clinical-grade cells. CD146 is a functional surface molecule to assess the potency of hMSC-DP.

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13287-021-02559-4.

• CD146
• Clinical grade
• ERK pathway
• Human dental pulp stem cells
• Quality

• Apical pulp
• Deciduous teeth
• Dental pulp
• Differentiation
• dentin/pulp regeneration

Methylglyoxal (MG) is a potent precursor of glycative stress (abnormal accumulation of advanced glycation end products, AGEs), a relevant condition underpinning the etiology of several diseases, including those of the oral cave. At present, synthetic agents able to trap MG are known; however, they have never been approved for clinical use because of their severe side effects. Hence, the search of bioactive natural scavengers remains a sector of strong research interest. Here, we investigated whether and how oleuropein (OP), the major bioactive component of olive leaf, was able to prevent MG-dependent glycative stress in human dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs). The cells were exposed to OP at 50 µM for 24 h prior to the administration of MG at 300 µM for additional 24 h. We found that OP prevented MG-induced glycative stress and DPSCs impairment by restoring the activity of Glyoxalase 1 (Glo1), the major detoxifying enzyme of MG, in a mechanism involving the redox-sensitive transcription factor Nrf2. Our results suggest that OP holds great promise for the development of preventive strategies for MG-derived AGEs-associated oral diseases and open new paths in research concerning additional studies on the protective potential of this secoiridoid.

• Nrf2
• apoptosis
• dental pulp stem cells
• glycative stress
• glyoxalase 1
• inflammation
• methylglyoxal
• oleuropein
• oxidative stress

• dental mesenchymal stromal cells
• differentiation
• immunomodulation
• lipopolysaccharide
• toll-like receptors

• P 29440 Austrian Science Fund FWF
• Austrian Science Fund

• CRISPR
• gene therapy
• multi-omics sequencing
• orthodontic research
• stem cells

• 3T3 Cells
• Animals
• Ascorbic Acid/chemistry
• Calcium/metabolism
• Cell Differentiation/drug effects
• Culture Media
• DNA/metabolism
• Dexamethasone/pharmacology
• Extracellular Matrix/metabolism
• Glycerophosphates/chemistry
• Humans
• In Vitro Techniques
• Mice
• Osteogenesis/drug effects
• Stem Cells/cytology
• Tooth, Deciduous/metabolism

Dental pulp cells (DPCs) represent good candidates for the regeneration of dental tissue. This study aimed to evaluate the growth and differentiation potential of DPCs cultured inside demineralized dentin tubules in vivo. Six green fluorescent protein-transgenic rats (body weight 100 g each) and thirty-two Sprague-Dawley (SD) male rats (body weight 250 g each) were used for DPC collection and dentin tubules preparation and transplantation, respectively. Third-passage DPCs with or without collagen gels were loaded into demineralized dentin tubules. Both types of grafts were transplanted into the rectus abdominis muscles of SD rats and were harvested after 21 days. The expression of alkaline phosphatase (ALP), bone sialoprotein (BSP), osteopontin (OPN), nestin, and dentin sialoprotein (DSP) was analyzed by immunohistochemistry. Histological analysis showed that DPCs in the collagen gel formed an osteodentin-like hard tissue matrix after 21 days. Increased positive immunoreactivity for ALP, BSP, OPN, nestin, and DSP was observed in experimental groups compared with control. Our results demonstrate that DPCs in collagen gel inside demineralized dentin tubules show increased growth and differentiation.

• Advanced therapy medicinal products
• implementation science
• regenerative dentistry
• regulatory framework
• tissue engineering
• translational research

• Dental
• Differentiation
• Neuro-degenerative disorders
• Neuro-regeneration
• Stem cells

Retinoic acid (RA) signal is involved in tooth development and osteogenic differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). Dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs) are one of the useful MSCs in tissue regeneration. However, the function of RA in osteo/odontogenic differentiation of DPSCs remains unclear. Here, we investigated the expression pattern of RA in miniature pig tooth germ and intervened in the RA signal during osteo/odontogenic differentiation of human DPSCs. Deciduous canine (DC) germs of miniature pigs were observed morphologically, and the expression patterns of RA were studied by in situ hybridization (ISH). Human DPSCs were isolated and cultured in osteogenic induction medium with or without RA or BMS 493, an inverse agonist of the pan-retinoic acid receptors (pan-RARs). Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity assays, alizarin red staining, quantitative calcium analysis, CCK8 assay, osteogenesis-related gene expression, and in vivo transplantation were conducted to determine the osteo/odontogenic differentiation potential and proliferation potential of DPSCs. We found that the expression of RARβ and CRABP2 decreased during crown calcification of DCs of miniature pigs. Activation of RA signal in vitro inhibited ALP activities and mineralization of human DPSCs and decreased the mRNA expression of ALP, osteocalcin, osteopontin, and a transcription factor, osterix. With BMS 493 treatment, the results were opposite. Interference in RA signal decreased the proliferation of DPSCs. In vivo transplantation experiments suggested that osteo/odontogenic differentiation potential of DPSCs was enhanced by inversing RA signal. Our results demonstrated that downregulation of RA signal promoted osteo/odontogenic differentiation of DPSCs and indicated a potential target pathway to improve tissue regeneration.

• dental pulp
• endothelial cells
• gene silencing
• mesenchymal stem cells
• regeneration
• vascular

• Anastomosis, Surgical
• Animals
• Antigens, CD
• Cadherins
• Cell Differentiation
• Dental Pulp
• Humans
• Mice
• Stem Cells
• Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A

• R01 DE021410 NIDCR NIH HHS
• R37 DE021410 NIDCR NIH HHS
• Japan Society for the Promotion of Science
• National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research

Introduction. Several biomaterials are used in periodontal tissue engineering in order to obtain a three-dimensional scaffold, which could enhance the oral bone regeneration. These novel biomaterials, when placed in the affected area, activate a cascade of events, inducing regenerative cellular responses, and replacing the missing tissue. Natural and synthetic polymers can be used alone or in combination with other biomaterials, growth factors, and stem cells. Natural-based polymer chitosan is widely used in periodontal tissue engineering. It presents biodegradability, biocompatibility, and biological renewability properties. It is bacteriostatic and nontoxic and has hemostatic and mucoadhesive capacity. The aim of this systematic review is to obtain an updated overview of the utilization and effectiveness of chitosan-based scaffold (CS-bs) in the alveolar bone regeneration process. Materials and Methods. During database searching (using PubMed, Cochrane Library, and CINAHL), 72 items were found. The title, abstract, and full text of each study were carefully analyzed and only 22 articles were selected. Thirteen articles were excluded based on their title, five after reading the abstract, twenty-six after reading the full text, and six were not considered because of their publication date (prior to 2010). Quality assessment and data extraction were performed in the twelve included randomized controlled trials. Data concerning cell proliferation and viability (CPV), mineralization level (M), and alkaline phosphatase activity (ALPA) were recorded from each article Results. All the included trials tested CS-bs that were combined with other biomaterials (such as hydroxyapatite, alginate, polylactic-co-glycolic acid, polycaprolactone), growth factors (basic fibroblast growth factor, bone morphogenetic protein) and/or stem cells (periodontal ligament stem cells, human jaw bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells). Values about the proliferation of cementoblasts (CB) and periodontal ligament cells (PDLCs), the activity of alkaline phosphatase, and the mineralization level determined by pure chitosan scaffolds resulted in lower than those caused by chitosan-based scaffolds combined with other molecules and biomaterials. Conclusions. A higher periodontal regenerative potential was recorded in the case of CS-based scaffolds combined with other polymeric biomaterials and bioceramics (bio compared to those provided by CS alone. Furthermore, literature demonstrated that the addition of growth factors and stem cells to CS-based scaffolds might improve the biological properties of chitosan.

• chitosan scaffold
• oral bone regeneration
• periodontal tissue engineering

Stem cells isolated from the apical papilla of wisdom teeth (SCAPs) are an attractive model for tissue repair due to their availability, high proliferation rate and potential to differentiate in vitro towards mesodermal and neurogenic lineages. Adult stem cells, such as SCAPs, develop in stem cell niches in which the oxygen concentration [O₂] is low (3–8% compared with 21% of ambient air). In this work, we evaluate the impact of low [O₂] on the physiology of SCAPs isolated and processed in parallel at 21% or 3% O₂ without any hyperoxic shock in ambient air during the experiment performed at 3% O₂. We demonstrate that SCAPs display a higher proliferation capacity at 3% O₂ than in ambient air with elevated expression levels of two cell surface antigens: the alpha-6 integrin subunit (CD49f) and the embryonic stem cell marker (SSEA4). We show that the mesodermal differentiation potential of SCAPs is conserved at early passage in both [O₂], but is partly lost at late passage and low [O₂], conditions in which SCAPs proliferate efficiently without any sign of apoptosis. Unexpectedly, we show that autophagic flux is active in SCAPs irrespective of [O₂] and that this process remains high in cells even after prolonged exposure to 3% O₂.

• BNIP3
• CD49f
• SCAPs
• SSEA4
• autophagy
• differentiation
• low oxygen concentration
• proliferation

• Dental tissue
• Immunomodulation
• Mesenchymal stem cells
• Oral diseases
• Peripheral blood mononuclear cells
• Tissue regeneration

• P 29440 Austrian Science Fund FWF

• mesenchymal stem cells
• meta-analysis
• periodontal regeneration
• systematic review
• tissue engineering

• dental pulp stem cells
• differentiation
• mitogen-activated protein kinase
• parathyroid hormone

To isolate dental pulp mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) from non-infected human permanent and deciduous teeth.

It was an in-vitro experimental study. Human teeth were collected from 13 apparently healthy subjects including nine adults and four children. After decoronation dental pulps were extirpated from teeth and cultured via explant method in a stem cell defined media. Data was analyzed by descriptive statistics.

As above MSCs emerged exhibiting fibroblast-like morphology. In vitro culture was positive for 100% (9/9) and 75% (3/4) of the permanent and deciduous teeth respectively. First cell appeared from deciduous teeth pulp in 10±6.2 days while permanent teeth pulp took 12.4±3.7 days. Together, 26.6±3.6 and 24.5±3.5 days were required for permanent and deciduous tooth pulp stem cells to be ready for further assays.

The protocol we developed is easy and consistent and can be used to generate reliable source of MScs for engineering of calcified and non-calcified tissue for regenerative medicine approaches.

• Dental pulp
• Mesenchymal stem cells
• Permanent teeth
• Primary / Deciduous teeth
• Tissue engineering
• Tissue explant

• Iow-density seeding
• Stem cells
• cell enrichment
• clonogenicity
• dental pulp cells
• differentiation
• progenitor cells

The calcined tooth powder (CTP), a type of allogeneic biomimetic mineralized material, has been confirmed that can promote new bone formation when obtained at high temperature. The aim of this study was to investigate effects of the conditioned medium of calcined tooth powder (CTP-CM) on the osteogenic and odontogenic differentiation of human dental pulp stem cells (hDPSCs) and the underlying mechanisms involved. First, ALP activity assay determined that 200 μg/mL was the optimal concentration of CTP-CM for the following experiments. CTP-CM had no significant effect on the proliferation of hDPSCs as indicated by CCK-8 and FCM analysis. Both the gene and protein (DSPP/DSPP, RUNX2/RUNX2, OCN/OCN, OSX/OSX, OPN/OPN, ALP/ALP, and COL-1/COL-1) expression levels increased in the CTP-CM-induced hDPSC group as compared with those in the control group at day 3 or 7, showing the positive regulation of CTP-CM on the osteo/odontogenic differentiation of hDPSCs. Mechanistically, MAPK signaling pathways were activated after the CTP-CM treatment, and the inhibitors targeting MAPK were identified which weakened the effects of CTM-CM on the committed differentiation of hDPSCs. These findings could lead to the creation of stem cell therapies for dental regeneration.

• Dental pulp stem cells
• Wnt4
• inflammatory
• microenvironment

• clinical application
• dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs)
• mesenchymal stem cells
• stem cell therapy
• systemic disease

• Dental pulp stem cell
• Differentiation
• GPNMB
• Odontogenesis
• miRNA

• Bioinspired chitosan/gelatin scaffolds
• Dental pulp stem cells
• Orofacial bone regeneration

Neurodegenerative diseases have now become a major challenge, especially in aged societies. Most of the traditional strategies used for treatment of these diseases are untargeted and have little efficiency. Developments in stem cell investigations have given much attention to cell therapy as an alternative concept in the regeneration of neural tissues. Dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs) can be readily obtained by noninvasive procedures and have been shown to possess properties similar to well-known mesenchymal stem cells. Furthermore, based on their neural crest origin, DPSCs are considered to have a good potential to differentiate into neural cells. Zfp521 is a transcription factor that regulates expression of many genes, including ones involved in the neural differentiation process. Therefor based on neural crest origin of the cell and high expression of neural progenitor markers, we speculate that sole overexpression of Zfp521 protein can facilitate differentiation of dental stem cells to neural cells and researchers may find these cells suitable for therapeutic treatment of neurodegenerative diseases.

• Mesenchymal Stem Cell
• Neurodegenerative Diseases
• Neuronal Differentiation
• Zinc Finger Protein 521