Expression of extracellular matrix proteins in human dental pulp stem cells depends on the donor tooth conditions.
BACKGROUND
Stem cells are characterized by the ability to renew themselves through mitotic cell division and differentiating into a diverse range of specialized cell types. An important source of adult stem cells is the dental pulp. In dentistry, regenerative strategies are of importance because of hard dental tissue damage especially as result of caries lesions, trauma, or iatrogenic procedures. The regeneration of dental tissues relies on the ability of stem cells to produce extracellular (ECM) proteins encountered in the dental pulp tissue. Thus, the aim of this study was to analyze the expression and distribution of proteins encountered in dental pulp ECM (type I collagen, fibronectin, and tenascin) in stem cells.


METHODS
Human immature dental pulp stem cells (hIDPSCs) from deciduous (DL-1 and DL-4 cell lines) and permanent (DL-2) teeth were used. The distribution of ECM proteins was observed using the immunofluorescence technique. The gene expression profile was evaluated using reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) analysis.


RESULTS
Positive reactions for all ECM proteins were observed independently of the hIDPSCs analyzed. Type I collagen appeared less evident in DL-2 than in other hIDPSCs. Fibronectin and tenascin were less clear in DL-4. The RT-PCR reactions showed that type I collagen was lesser expressed in the DL-2 cells, whereas fibronectin and tenascin were similarly expressed in all hIDPSCs.


CONCLUSIONS
The distribution and expression of ECM proteins differ among the hIDPSCs. These differences seemed to be related to the donor tooth conditions (deciduous or permanent, retained or erupted, and degree of root reabsorption).
Harumi Miyagi
Sueli Patricia
SP
Departamento de Endodontia, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.
Kerkis
Irina
I
da Costa Maranduba
Carlos Magno
CM
Gomes
Cícera Maria
CM
Martins
Manoela Domingues
MD
Marques
Márcia Martins
MM
D000293:Adolescent; D002460:Cell Line; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D024042:Collagen Type I / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics; D003782:Dental Pulp / Q000166:cytology*; D019229:Dentition, Permanent; D016326:Extracellular Matrix Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D005260:Female; D005353:Fibronectins / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics; D020869:Gene Expression Profiling; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008856:Microscopy, Fluorescence; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012391:Root Resorption; D013234:Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*; D019063:Tenascin / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics; D014019:Tissue Donors; D014078:Tooth Eruption; D014094:Tooth, Deciduous
D024042:Collagen Type I; D016326:Extracellular Matrix Proteins; D005353:Fibronectins; D019063:Tenascin