title: Three years after transplants in human mandibles, histological and in-line holotomography revealed that stem cells regenerated a compact rather than a spongy bone: biological and clinical implications.
abstract: Mesenchymal stem cells deriving from dental pulp differentiate into osteoblasts capable of producing bone. In previous studies, we extensively demonstrated that, when seeded on collagen I scaffolds, these cells can be conveniently used for the repair of human mandible defects. Here, we assess the stability and quality of the regenerated bone and vessel network 3 years after the grafting intervention, with conventional procedures and in-line holotomography, an advanced phase-imaging method using synchrotron radiation that offers improved sensitivity toward low-absorbing structures. We found that the regenerated tissue from the graft sites was composed of a fully compact bone with a higher matrix density than control human alveolar spongy bone from the same patient. Thus, the regenerated bone, being entirely compact, is completely different from normal alveolar bone. Although the bone regenerated at the graft sites is not of the proper type found in the mandible, it does seem to have a positive clinical impact. In fact, it creates steadier mandibles, may well increase implant stability, and, additionally, may improve resistance to mechanical, physical, chemical, and pharmacological agents.
authors.affiliation: Dipartimento di Scienze Cliniche e Odontostomatologiche, Sezione di Biochimica, Biologia e Fisica, Università Politecnica delle Marche, Ancona, Italy.
authors.forename: Alessandra
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Giuliani
authors.forename: Adrian
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Manescu
authors.forename: Max
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Langer
authors.forename: Franco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Rustichelli
authors.forename: Vincenzo
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Desiderio
authors.forename: Francesca
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Paino
authors.forename: Alfredo
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: De Rosa
authors.forename: Luigi
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Laino
authors.forename: Riccardo
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: d'Aquino
authors.forename: Virginia
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Tirino
authors.forename: Gianpaolo
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Papaccio
mesh_terms: D001391:Azo Compounds; D001706:Biopsy; D015519:Bone Density; D004801:Eosine Yellowish-(YS) / Q000378:metabolism; D006416:Hematoxylin / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional; D008334:Mandible / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D008739:Methyl Green; D011859:Radiography; D012038:Regeneration; D013194:Staining and Labeling; D033581:Stem Cell Transplantation; D013234:Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology*; D017356:Synchrotrons; D014054:Tomography / Q000379:methods*
chemical_list: D001391:Azo Compounds; C017768:trichrome stain; D008739:Methyl Green; D004801:Eosine Yellowish-(YS); D006416:Hematoxylin