Functionalized scaffolds to control dental pulp stem cell fate.
Emerging understanding about interactions between stem cells, scaffolds, and morphogenic factors has accelerated translational research in the field of dental pulp tissue engineering. Dental pulp stem cells constitute a subpopulation of cells endowed with self-renewal and multipotency. Dental pulp stem cells seeded in biodegradable scaffolds and exposed to dentin-derived morphogenic factors give rise to a pulplike tissue capable of generating new dentin. Notably, dentin-derived proteins are sufficient to induce dental pulp stem cell differentiation into odontoblasts. Ongoing work is focused on developing ways of mobilizing dentin-derived proteins and disinfecting the root canal of necrotic teeth without compromising the morphogenic potential of these signaling molecules. On the other hand, dentin by itself does not appear to be capable of inducing endothelial differentiation of dental pulp stem cells despite the well-known presence of angiogenic factors in dentin. This is particularly relevant in the context of dental pulp tissue engineering in full root canals in which access to blood supply is limited to the apical foramina. To address this challenge, scientists are looking at ways to use the scaffold as a controlled-release device for angiogenic factors. The aim of this article was to present and discuss current strategies to functionalize injectable scaffolds and customize them for dental pulp tissue engineering. The long-term goal of this work is to develop stem cell-based therapies that enable the engineering of functional dental pulps capable of generating new tubular dentin in humans.
Department of Operative Dentistry, School of Dentistry, Federal University of Pelotas, Pelotas, RS, Brazil; Department of Cariology, Restorative Sciences, Endodontics, University of Michigan School of Dentistry, Ann Arbor, Michigan.
Evandro
E
Piva
Department of Operative Dentistry, School of Dentistry, Federal University of Pelotas, Pelotas, RS, Brazil; Department of Cariology, Restorative Sciences, Endodontics, University of Michigan School of Dentistry, Ann Arbor, Michigan.
Adriana F
AF
Silva
Department of Cariology, Restorative Sciences, Endodontics, University of Michigan School of Dentistry, Ann Arbor, Michigan; Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Michigan College of Engineering, Ann Arbor, Michigan; Department of Otolaryngology, University of Michigan School of Medicine, Ann Arbor, Michigan. Electronic address: jenor@umich.edu.
Jacques E
JE
Nör
D042501:Angiogenic Proteins / Q000502:physiology; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000502:physiology; D003782:Dental Pulp / Q000166:cytology*; D003804:Dentin / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D039902:Multipotent Stem Cells / Q000502:physiology; D009804:Odontoblasts / Q000502:physiology; D011506:Proteins / Q000502:physiology; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000502:physiology; D013234:Stem Cells / Q000502:physiology*; D023822:Tissue Engineering / Q000379:methods*; D054457:Tissue Scaffolds
D042501:Angiogenic Proteins; D011506:Proteins
Angiogenesis; dental pulp stem cells; dentin; morphogenic signals; pulp biology; regenerative endodontics; tissue engineering