title: In Vivo Osteogenic Differentiation of Human Dental Pulp Stem Cells Embedded in an Injectable In Vivo-Forming Hydrogel.
abstract: In this study, human dental pulp stem cells (hDPSCs) are examined as a cellular source for bone tissue engineering using an in vivo-forming hydrogel. The hDPSCs are easily harvested in large quantities from extracted teeth. The stemness of harvested hDPSCs indicates their relative tolerance to ex vivo manipulation in culture. The in vitro osteogenic differentiation of hDPSCs is characterized using Alizarin Red S (ARS), von Kossa (VK), and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) staining. The solution of hDPSCs and a methoxy polyethylene glycol-polycaprolactone block copolymer (PC) is easily prepared by simple mixing at room temperature and in no more than 10 s it forms in vivo hydrogels after subcutaneous injection into rats. In vivo osteogenic differentiation of hDPSCs in the in vivo-forming hydrogel is confirmed by micro-computed tomography (CT), histological staining, and gene expression. Micro-CT analysis shows evidence of significant tissue-engineered bone formation in hDPSCs-loaded hydrogel in the presence of osteogenic factors. Differentiated osteoblasts in in vivo-forming hydrogel are identified by ARS and VK staining and are found to exhibit characteristic expression of genes like osteonectin, osteopontin, and osteocalcin. In conclusion, hDPSCs embedded in an in vivo-forming hydrogel may provide benefits as a noninvasive formulation for bone tissue engineering applications.
authors.affiliation: Department of Molecular Science and Technology, Ajou University, Suwon, 443-759, Korea.
authors.forename: Ja Yong
authors.initials: JY
authors.lastname: Jang
authors.affiliation: Department of Molecular Science and Technology, Ajou University, Suwon, 443-759, Korea.
authors.forename: Seung Hun
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Park
authors.affiliation: Department of Molecular Science and Technology, Ajou University, Suwon, 443-759, Korea.
authors.forename: Ji Hoon
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Park
authors.affiliation: Department of Molecular Science and Technology, Ajou University, Suwon, 443-759, Korea.
authors.forename: Bo Keun
authors.initials: BK
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Department of Periodontology, School of Dentistry and Institute of Oral Bioscience, Chonbuk National University, Jeonju, 561-712, Korea.
authors.forename: Jeong-Ho
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Yun
authors.affiliation: Department of Polymer Engineering, Pukyong National University, Busan, 608-739, Korea.
authors.forename: Bong
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Department of Molecular Science and Technology, Ajou University, Suwon, 443-759, Korea.
authors.forename: Jae Ho
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Department of Molecular Science and Technology, Ajou University, Suwon, 443-759, Korea.
authors.forename: Byoung Hyun
authors.initials: BH
authors.lastname: Min
authors.affiliation: Department of Molecular Science and Technology, Ajou University, Suwon, 443-759, Korea.
authors.forename: Moon Suk
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Kim
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001842:Bone and Bones / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000235:genetics; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D003782:Dental Pulp / Q000166:cytology*; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D020136:Hydrogel, Polyethylene Glycol Dimethacrylate / Q000494:pharmacology*; D020007:Implants, Experimental; D007249:Inflammation / Q000473:pathology; D007267:Injections; D007279:Injections, Subcutaneous; D010012:Osteogenesis / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000235:genetics; D011091:Polyesters / Q000494:pharmacology; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012996:Solutions; D013194:Staining and Labeling; D013234:Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology* / Q000187:drug effects; D013696:Temperature; D023822:Tissue Engineering; D014783:Viscosity; D055114:X-Ray Microtomography
chemical_list: D011091:Polyesters; D012996:Solutions; C016240:polycaprolactone; D020136:Hydrogel, Polyethylene Glycol Dimethacrylate
keywords: dental pulp stem cells; in vivo-forming hydrogel; osteogenic differentiation; tissue engineering