title: Decellularized Matrix Derived from Neural Differentiation of Embryonic Stem Cells Enhances the Neurogenic Potential of Dental Follicle Stem Cells.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Dental follicle stem cells (DFSCs) possess neurogenic potential because they originate from the embryonic neural crest. This study investigated whether neural differentiation of DFSCs can be enhanced by culture on decellularized matrix substrata (NSC-DECM) derived from neurogenesis of human embryonic stem cells (hESCs).
  
  
  METHODS
  The hESCs were differentiated into neural stem cells (NSCs), and NSC-DECM was extracted from confluent monolayers of NSCs through treatment with deionized water. DFSCs seeded on NSC-DECM, Geltrex, and tissue culture polystyrene (TCPS) were subjected to neural induction during a period of 21 days. Expression of early/intermediate (Musashi1, PAX6, NSE, and βIII-tubulin) and mature/late (NGN2, NeuN, NFM, and MASH1) neural markers by DFSCs was analyzed at the 7-, 14-, and 21-day time points with quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. Immunocytochemistry for detection of βIII-tubulin, PAX6, and NGN2 expression by DFSCs on day 7 of neural induction was also carried out.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Quantitative RT-PCR showed that expression of PAX6, Musashi1, βIII-tubulin, NSE, NGN2, and NFM by DFSCs was enhanced on NSC-DECM versus either the Geltrex or TCPS groups. Immunocytochemistry showed that DFSCs in the NSC-DECM group displayed more intense staining for βIII-tubulin, PAX6, and NGN2 expression, together with more neurite outgrowths and elongated morphology, as compared with either Geltrex or TCPS.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  DECM derived from neurogenesis of hESCs can enhance the neurogenic potential of DFSCs.
authors.affiliation: Endodontology, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong, China; Department of Biological Sciences, Sunway University, Bandar Sunway, Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia.
authors.forename: Boon Chin
authors.initials: BC
authors.lastname: Heng
authors.affiliation: Endodontology, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong, China.
authors.forename: Ting
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Gong
authors.affiliation: ENT Institute of Shenzhen, Shenzhen Longgang ENT Hospital, Shenzhen, China.
authors.forename: Shuai
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: Department of Biological Sciences, Sunway University, Bandar Sunway, Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia; School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong, China.
authors.forename: Lee Wei
authors.initials: LW
authors.lastname: Lim
authors.affiliation: School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong, China.
authors.forename: Wutian
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.affiliation: Endodontology, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong, China; HKU Shenzhen Institute of Research and Innovation, Hong Kong, China. Electronic address: zchengfei@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: Chengfei
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Zhang
mesh_terms: D002454:Cell Differentiation; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D003795:Dental Sac / Q000166:cytology*; D053595:Embryonic Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology*; D005109:Extracellular Matrix; D006801:Humans; D009432:Neural Crest / Q000166:cytology; D058953:Neural Stem Cells / Q000502:physiology*; D055495:Neurogenesis / Q000502:physiology*; D060888:Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction; D054457:Tissue Scaffolds
keywords: Cell fate; dentistry; lineage; neurogenic; regeneration; tissue engineering