Dental stem cells differentiate into osteoblast representing a perfect cell source for bone regeneration

Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate if cells isolated from DP differentiate toward osteoblastic phenotype and express osteoblastic markers. Methods: Bone remodeling is the process maintaining bone mass and occurs during the whole life; it is regulated by osteoblast differentiation and activity and is influenced by many pathological events that could determine bone loss. Osteoblast differentiation has been studied starting from mesenchymal stem cells of the bone marrow or periosteum. Stem cells are defined as clonogenic cells capable of self-renewal and multi-lineage differentiation. A population of these cells has been identified in human Dental Pulp (DP). Dental Pulp Stem Cells (DPSCs) were found in young adult wisdom teeth and have been shown to differentiate, under particular conditions, into various cell types of the mesenchymal tissues. We studied the immunophenotype of DPSCs by flow cytometric analysis, the osteoblastic markers of differentiated DPSCs were assayed by histochemical methods and real-time PCR. Results: We demonstrated that DPSCs are easily obtained from wisdom teeth, a source of easier access than bone marrow and periosteum, and successfully differentiated into osteoblast-like cells, producing mineralized matrix nodules and expressing the typical osteoblastic markers, Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP) and Collagen I (Coll I). Conclusion: This study suggests that DPSCs differentiate into osteoblasts representing a perfect source of cells for bone regeneration. Keywords: stem cells, osteogenic markers, bone tissue engineering, human postnatal dental tissue