Vitamin C stimulates human gingival stem cell proliferation and expression of pluripotent markers.
Gingival stem cells (GSCs) are a novel source of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) that are easily accessed from the oral cavity. GSCs were considered valuable autograft MSCs with particular characteristics. However, the limitation in the number of available GSCs remains an obstacle. Therefore, this study aimed to stimulate GSC proliferation by ascorbic acid (AA) and determined the effects of AA on GSC pluripotent potential-related gene expression. GSCs were isolated from gum tissue by explant culture and continuously subcultured before analysis of stemness and effects of AA on pluripotent-related gene expression. GSCs cultured with various concentrations of AA showed increased proliferation in a dose-dependent manner. AA-treated GSCs showed significantly higher expression of SSEA-3, Sox-2, Oct-3/4, Nanog, and TRA-1-60 compared with control cells. More importantly, GSCs also maintained their stemness with MSC phenotypes and failed to cause tumors in nude athymic mice. Our results show that AA is a suitable factor to stimulate GSC proliferation.
Laboratory of Stem Cell Research and Application, University of Science, Viet Nam National University, Ho Chi Minh City, Viet Nam. pvphuc@hcmuns.edu.vn.
Phuc
P
Van Pham
Faculty of Dentistry, University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Ho Chi Minh City, Viet Nam. yennga281@yahoo.com.
Nga Yen
NY
Tran
Laboratory of Stem Cell Research and Application, University of Science, Viet Nam National University, Ho Chi Minh City, Viet Nam. plcnhan@hcmus.edu.vn.
Nhan Lu-Chinh
NL
Phan
Laboratory of Stem Cell Research and Application, University of Science, Viet Nam National University, Ho Chi Minh City, Viet Nam. vbngoc@hcmus.edu.vn.
Ngoc Bich
NB
Vu
Laboratory of Stem Cell Research and Application, University of Science, Viet Nam National University, Ho Chi Minh City, Viet Nam. pkngoc@hcmus.edu.vn.
Ngoc Kim
NK
Phan
D000818:Animals; D000954:Antigens, Surface / Q000096:biosynthesis; D015295:Antigens, Tumor-Associated, Carbohydrate / Q000096:biosynthesis; D001205:Ascorbic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000378:metabolism; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000187:drug effects*; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects*; D018507:Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental / Q000187:drug effects; D005881:Gingiva / Q000166:cytology* / Q000187:drug effects / Q000254:growth & development; D018398:Homeodomain Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis; D006801:Humans; D059630:Mesenchymal Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology*; D051379:Mice; D009055:Mouth / Q000166:cytology; D000071317:Nanog Homeobox Protein; D050814:Octamer Transcription Factor-3 / Q000096:biosynthesis; D011509:Proteoglycans / Q000096:biosynthesis; D055748:SOXB1 Transcription Factors / Q000096:biosynthesis; D055746:Stage-Specific Embryonic Antigens / Q000096:biosynthesis
D000954:Antigens, Surface; D015295:Antigens, Tumor-Associated, Carbohydrate; D015415:Biomarkers; D018398:Homeodomain Proteins; C486780:NANOG protein, human; D000071317:Nanog Homeobox Protein; D050814:Octamer Transcription Factor-3; D011509:Proteoglycans; C527782:SOX2 protein, human; D055748:SOXB1 Transcription Factors; D055746:Stage-Specific Embryonic Antigens; C107064:TRA-1-60 antigen, human; C052924:stage-specific embryonic antigen-3; D001205:Ascorbic Acid
Gingival stem cell; Gum stem cell; Mesenchymal stem cell; Pluripotent marker