Average cell viability levels of human dental pulp stem cells: an accurate combinatorial index for quality control in tissue engineering.
OBJECTIVE
One of the most important issues in tissue engineering (TE) is the search for a suitable stem cell reservoir with optimal cell viability levels for the development of new tissues relevant for therapeutic needs. The aim of this study was to evaluate the cell viability levels of 10 sequential cell passages of human dental pulp stem cells (hDPSC) to determine their potential for TE techniques.


METHODS
To assess the average cell viability levels of hDPSC, four cell viability assays were used in a combinatorial approach: trypan blue exclusion test, water-soluble tetrazolium 1 assay, live/dead assay and electron probe x-ray microanalysis.


RESULTS
The results showed that cell viability as determined by trypan blue staining and live/dead assays was greater than 85%, with a significant decrease at the second passage (P < 0.05) and a significant increase at the ninth passage (P < 0.05). Electron probe x-ray microanalysis showed that the highest cell viability corresponded to the ninth passage, with the lowest K/Na values found at the third passage. No statistical differences were found among the different passages for the water-soluble tetrazolium 1 assay (P = 0.219).


CONCLUSIONS
Assessment of average cell viability levels showed that the highest viability of hDPSC was reached after nine passages, suggesting that this passage would be the most adequate for use in TE protocols.
Department of Histology (Tissue Engineering Group), University of Granada, Granada, Spain.
Miguel Angel
MA
Martin-Piedra
Ingrid
I
Garzon
Ana Celeste
AC
Oliveira
Camilo Andres
CA
Alfonso-Rodriguez
Maria Carmen
MC
Sanchez-Quevedo
Antonio
A
Campos
Miguel
M
Alaminos
D018929:Cell Culture Techniques; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D002470:Cell Survival; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D003782:Dental Pulp / Q000166:cytology*; D004577:Electron Probe Microanalysis; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D006801:Humans; D013234:Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology*; D013778:Tetrazolium Salts; D023822:Tissue Engineering; D014343:Trypan Blue
D013778:Tetrazolium Salts; C042207:4-anisyltetrazolium blue; D014343:Trypan Blue