The response of Mesenchymal Stem Cells to endodontic materials

Abstract

An endodontic material must be minimally harmful to stem cells since they are essential, thanks to their capacity for cell proliferation, self-renewal, and differentiation. For this reason, in this in vitro study, the cell viability and the expression of genes involved in cell plasticity and differentiation were investigated in stem cells recovered from human dental pulp (hDPSCs) that were in contact with four endodontic materials (Endofill, MTA, Pulp Canal Sealer, and Sealer 26). The viability of HDPSCs was assessed by MTT and trypan blue exclusion assays. PCR evaluated cellular plasticity by determining the CD34, CD45, Nestin, CD105, Nanog, and OCT4 expressions. The effect on cell differentiation was determined by RT-PCR expression of the RUNX2, ALP, OC/BGLAP, and DMP1 genes. The data were analyzed using ANOVA with Bonferroni correction (p <0.05). Pulp Canal Sealer and Endofill decreased cell viability after 48 hours (p <0.001). MTA and Sealer 26 did not disrupt cell viability (p> 0.05). When cultivated in the presence of MTA and Sealer 26, hDPSCs expressed Nestin, CD105, NANOG, and OCT-4 and did not express CD34 and CD45. MTA and Sealer 26 interfered with DMP1, OC/BGLAP and RUNX2 expressions (p <0.05) but did not change ALP gene expression (p> 0.05). MTA and Sealer 26 showed biological compatibility in the presence of hDPSCs.

Key Words:
Mesenchymal stem cells; cytotoxicity; mineral trioxide aggregate; genotoxicity; dental pulp stem cells