Neural form of voltage-dependent sodium current in human cultured dental pulp cells

Clinical Potential of Dental Pulp Stem Cells in Pulp Regeneration: Current Endodontic Progress and Future Perspectives

Dental caries is a common disease that not only destroys the rigid structure of the teeth but also causes pulp necrosis in severe cases. Once pulp necrosis has occurred, the most common treatment is to remove the damaged pulp tissue, leading to a loss of tooth vitality and increased tooth fragility. Dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs) isolated from pulp tissue exhibit mesenchymal stem cell-like characteristics and are considered ideal candidates for regenerating damaged dental pulp tissue owing to their multipotency, high proliferation rate, and viability after cryopreservation. Importantly, DPSCs do not elicit an allogeneic immune response because they are non-immunogenic and exhibit potent immunosuppressive properties. Here, we provide an up-to-date review of the clinical applicability and potential of DPSCs, as well as emerging trends in the regeneration of damaged pulp tissue. In addition, we suggest the possibility of using DPSCs as a resource for allogeneic transplantation and provide a perspective for their clinical application in pulp regeneration.

Neural Basis of Dental Pulp Stem Cells and its Potential Application in Parkinson's disease

Parkinson's disease (PD) is the second most common neurodegenerative disease after Alzheimer's disease. Though significant insights into the molecular-biochemical-cellular-behavioral basis of PD have been understood, there is no appreciable treatment available till date. Current therapies provide symptomatic relief without any influence on the progression of the disease. Stem cell therapy has been vigorously explored to treat PD. In this comprehensive review, we analyze various stem cell candidates for treating PD and discuss the possible mechanisms. We advocate the advantage of using neural crest originated dental pulp stem cells (DPSC) due to their predisposition towards neural differentiation and their potential to regenerate neurons far better than commonly used bone marrow derived mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSCs). Eventually, we highlight the current challenges in the field and the strategies which may be used for overcoming the impediments.

Neural crest derived stem cells from dental pulp and tooth-associated stem cells for peripheral nerve regeneration

The peripheral nerve injuries, representing some of the most common types of traumatic lesions affecting the nervous system, are highly invalidating for the patients besides being a huge social burden. Although peripheral nervous system owns a higher regenerative capacity than does central nervous system, mostly depending on Schwann cells intervention in injury repair, several factors determine the extent of functional outcome after healing. Based on the injury type, different therapeutic approaches have been investigated so far. Nerve grafting and Schwann cell transplantation have represented the gold standard treatment for peripheral nerve injuries, however these approaches own limitations, such as scarce donor nerve availability and donor site morbidity. Cell based therapies might provide a suitable tool for peripheral nerve regeneration, in fact, the ability of different stem cell types to differentiate towards Schwann cells in combination with the use of different scaffolds have been widely investigated in animal models of peripheral nerve injuries in the last decade. Dental pulp is a promising cell source for regenerative medicine, because of the ease of isolation procedures, stem cell proliferation and multipotency abilities, which are due to the embryological origin from neural crest. In this article we review the literature concerning the application of tooth derived stem cell populations combined with different conduits to peripheral nerve injuries animal models, highlighting their regenerative contribution exerted through either glial differentiation and neuroprotective/neurotrophic effects on the host tissue.

Ion Channels Involved in Tooth Pain

The tooth has an unusual sensory system that converts external stimuli predominantly into pain, yet its sensory afferents in teeth demonstrate cytochemical properties of non-nociceptive neurons. This review summarizes the recent knowledge underlying this paradoxical nociception, with a focus on the ion channels involved in tooth pain. The expression of temperature-sensitive ion channels has been extensively investigated because thermal stimulation often evokes tooth pain. However, temperature-sensitive ion channels cannot explain the sudden intense tooth pain evoked by innocuous temperatures or light air puffs, leading to the hydrodynamic theory emphasizing the microfluidic movement within the dentinal tubules for detection by mechanosensitive ion channels. Several mechanosensitive ion channels expressed in dental sensory systems have been suggested as key players in the hydrodynamic theory, and TRPM7, which is abundant in the odontoblasts, and recently discovered PIEZO receptors are promising candidates. Several ligand-gated ion channels and voltage-gated ion channels expressed in dental primary afferent neurons have been discussed in relation to their potential contribution to tooth pain. In addition, in recent years, there has been growing interest in the potential sensory role of odontoblasts; thus, the expression of ion channels in odontoblasts and their potential relation to tooth pain is also reviewed.

Using Dental Pulp Stem Cells for Stroke Therapy

Stroke is a leading cause of permanent disability world-wide, but aside from rehabilitation, there is currently no clinically-proven pharmaceutical or biological agent to improve neurological disability. Cell-based therapies using stem cells, such as dental pulp stem cells, are a promising alternative for treatment of neurological diseases, including stroke. The ischaemic environment in stroke affects multiple cell populations, thus stem cells, which act through cellular and molecular mechanisms, are promising candidates. The most common stem cell population studied in the neurological setting has been mesenchymal stem cells due to their accessibility. However, it is believed that neural stem cells, the resident stem cell of the adult brain, would be most appropriate for brain repair. Using reprogramming strategies, alternative sources of neural stem and progenitor cells have been explored. We postulate that a cell of closer origin to the neural lineage would be a promising candidate for reprogramming and modification towards a neural stem or progenitor cell. One such candidate population is dental pulp stem cells, which reside in the root canal of teeth. This review will focus on the neural potential of dental pulp stem cells and their investigations in the stroke setting to date, and include an overview on the use of different sources of neural stem cells in preclinical studies and clinical trials of stroke.

Human Dental Pulp Stem Cells Grown in Neurogenic Media Differentiate Into Endothelial Cells and Promote Neovasculogenesis in the Mouse Brain

Dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs) have the capacity to give rise to cells with neuronal-like phenotypes, suggesting their use in brain cell therapies. In the present work, we wanted to address the phenotypic fate of adult genetically unmodified human DPSCs cultured in Neurocult^TM (Stem Cell Technologies), a cell culture medium without serum which can be alternatively supplemented for the expansion and/or differentiation of adult neural stem cells (NSCs). Our results show that non-genetically modified human adult DPSCs cultured with Neurocult NS-A proliferation supplement generated neurosphere-like dentospheres expressing the NSC markers Nestin and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), but also the vascular endothelial cell marker CD31. Remarkably, 1 month after intracranial graft into athymic nude mice, human CD31+/CD146+ and Nestin+ DPSC-derived cells were found tightly associated with both the endothelial and pericyte layers of brain vasculature, forming full blood vessels of human origin which showed an increased laminin staining. These results are the first demonstration that DPSC-derived cells contributed to the generation of neovasculature within brain tissue, and that Neurocult and other related serum-free cell culture media may constitute a fast and efficient way to obtain endothelial cells from human DPSCs.

Mechanisms underlying dental-derived stem cell-mediated neurorestoration in neurodegenerative disorders

BACKGROUND

Neurodegenerative disorders have a complex pathology and are characterized by a progressive loss of neuronal architecture in the brain or spinal cord. Neuroprotective agents have demonstrated promising results at the preclinical stage, but this has not been confirmed at the clinical stage. Thus far, no neuroprotective drug that can prevent neuronal degeneration in patients with neurodegenerative disorders is available.

MAIN BODY

Recent studies have focused on neurorestorative measures, such as cell-based therapy, rather than neuroprotective treatment. The utility of cell-based approaches for the treatment of neurodegenerative disorders has been explored extensively, and the results have been somewhat promising with regard to reversing the outcome. Because of their neural crest origin, ease of harvest, accessibility, ethical suitability, and potential to differentiate into the neurogenic lineage, dental-derived stem cells (DSCs) have become an attractive source for cell-based neurorestoration therapies. In the present review, we summarize the possible use of DSC-based neurorestoration therapy as an alternative treatment for neurodegenerative disorders, with a particular emphasis on the mechanism underlying recovery in neurodegenerative disorders.

CONCLUSION

Transplantation research in neurodegenerative diseases should aim to understand the mechanism providing benefits both at the molecular and functional level. Due to their ease of accessibility, plasticity, and ethical suitability, DSCs hold promise to overcome the existing challenges in the field of neurodegeneration through multiple mechanisms, such as cell replacement, bystander effect, vasculogenesis, synaptogenesis, immunomodulation, and by inhibiting apoptosis.

Dental pulp stem cells and the management of neurological diseases: An update

Medical research in regenerative medicine has brought promising perspectives for the use of stem cells in clinical trials. Stem cells are undifferentiated cells capable of multilineage differentiation and available in numerous sources in the human body. Dental pulp constitutes an attractive source of these cells since collecting mesenchymal stem cells from this site is a noninvasive practice that can be performed after a common surgical extraction of supernumerary or wisdom teeth. Thus, tissue sacrifice is very low and several cytotypes can be obtained owing to these cells' multipotency, in addition to the fact that they can be cryopreserved and stored for long periods. Mesenchymal stem cells have high proliferation rates, making them favorable for clinical application. These multipotent cells, present in biological waste, constitute an appropriate resource in the treatment of many neurological diseases.

Secretome Cues Modulate the Neurogenic Potential of Bone Marrow and Dental Stem Cells

Dental tissue is emerging as a promising source of stem cells especially in nerve regeneration mainly due to their neural origin and ease of harvest. We isolated dental stem cells from three sources, namely, dental pulp (DPSCs), dental follicle (DFSCs), and apical papilla (SCAP), and explored the efficacy of each towards neural differentiation in comparison to bone marrow-derived stem cells. The neural differentiation potential was assessed by expression of various neural markers and neurosphere assay. We observed that DPSCs were inherently predisposed towards neural lineage. To further delineate the paracrine cues responsible for the differences in neural differentiation potential, we harvested the conditioned secretome from each of the stem cell population and observed their effect on colony formation, neurite extension, and neural gene expression of IMR-32, a pre-neuroblastic cell line. We found that neural differentiation was significantly enhanced when IMR-32 cells were treated with secretome derived from DMSCs as compared to the same from BMSCs. Th1/Th2/Th17 cytokine array revealed DPSC secretome had higher expression of the cytokines like GCSF, IFNγ, and TGFβ that promote neural differentiation. Thus, we concluded that DPSCs may be the preferred source of cells for obtaining neural lineage among the four sources of stem cells. Our results also indicate that the DPSC-secreted factors may be responsible for their propensity towards neural differentiation. This study suggests that DPSCs and their secretomes can be a potentially lucrative source for cell-based and "cell-free" (secretome) therapy for neural disorders and injury.

An Overview of Protocols for the Neural Induction of Dental and Oral Stem Cells In Vitro

To date, various adult stem cells have been identified within the oral cavity, including dental pulp stem cells, dental follicle stem cells, stem cells from apical papilla, stem cells from human exfoliated deciduous teeth, periodontal ligament stem cells, and mesenchymal stem cells from the gingiva. All of these possess neurogenic potential due to their common developmental origin from the embryonic neural crest. Besides the relative ease of isolation of these adult stem cells from readily available biological waste routinely produced during dental treatment, these cells also possess the advantage of immune compatibility in autologous transplantation. In recent years, much interest has been focused on the derivation of neural lineages from these adult stem cells for therapeutic applications in the brain, spinal cord, and peripheral nerve regeneration. In addition, there are also promising nontherapeutic applications of stem cell-derived neurons in pharmacological and toxicological screening of neuroactive drugs, and for in vitro modeling of neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative diseases. Hence, this review will critically examine the diverse array of in vitro neural induction protocols that have been devised for dental and oral-derived stem cells. These protocols are defined not only by the culture milieu comprising the basal medium plus growth factors, small molecules, and other culture supplements but also by the substrata/surface coatings utilized, the presence of multiple culture stages, the total culture duration, the initial seeding density, and whether the spheroid/neurosphere formation is being utilized to recapitulate the three-dimensional neural differentiation microenvironment that is naturally present physiologically in vivo.

Neural crest: The fourth germ layer

The neural crest cells (NCCs), a transient group of cells that emerges from the dorsal aspect of the neural tube during early vertebrate development has been a fascinating group of cells because of its multipotency, long range migration through embryo and its capacity to generate a prodigious number of differentiated cell types. For these reasons, although derived from the ectoderm, the neural crest (NC) has been called the fourth germ layer. The non neural ectoderm, the neural plate and the underlying mesoderm are needed for the induction and formation of NC cells. Once formed, NC cells start migrating as a wave of cells, moving away from the neuroepithelium and quickly splitting into distinct streams. These migrating NCCs home in to different regions and give rise to plethora of tissues. Umpteen number of signaling molecules are essential for formation, epithelial mesenchymal transition, delamination, migration and localization of NCC. Authors believe that a clear understanding of steps and signals involved in NC formation, migration, etc., may help in understanding the pathogenesis behind cancer metastasis and many other diseases. Hence, we have taken this review to discuss the various aspects of the NC cells.

Neurogenic differentiation of dental pulp stem cells to neuron-like cells in dopaminergic and motor neuronal inductive media

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE

Dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs) have been proposed as a promising source of stem cells in nerve regeneration due to their close embryonic origin and ease of harvest. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of dopaminergic and motor neuronal inductive media on transdifferentiation of human DPSCs (hDPSCs) into neuron-like cells.

METHODS

Isolation, cultivation, and identification of hDPSCs were performed with morphological analyses and flow cytometry. The proliferation potential of DPSCs was evaluated with an XTT [(2,3-bis-(2-methoxy-4-nitro-5-sulfophenyl)-2H-tetrazolium-5-carboxanilide)] assay. Media for the induction of dopaminergic and spinal motor neuronal differentiation were prepared. The efficacy of neural induction was evaluated by detecting the expression of neuron cell-specific cell markers in DPSCs by immunocytochemistry and quantitative real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).

RESULTS

In the XTT assay, there was a 2.6- or 2-fold decrease in DPSCs cultured in dopaminergic or motor neuronal inductive media, respectively. The proportions of βIII-tubulin (βIII-tub), glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), and oligodendrocyte (O1)-positive cells were significantly higher in DPSCs cultured in both neuronal inductive media compared with those cultured in control media. Furthermore, hDPSC-derived dopaminergic and spinal motor neuron cells after induction expressed a higher density of neuron cell markers than those before induction.

CONCLUSION

These findings suggest that in response to the neuronal inductive stimuli, a greater proportion of DPSCs stop proliferation and acquire a phenotype resembling mature neurons. Such neural crest-derived adult DPSCs may provide an alternative stem cell source for therapy-based treatments of neuronal disorders and injury.

Neural crest-derived dental stem cells--where we are and where we are going

OBJECTIVES

There are five types of post-natal human dental stem cells that have been identified, isolated and characterized. Here, we review the information available on dental stem cells as well as their potential applications in dentistry, regenerative medicine and the development of other therapeutic approaches.

DATA

Data pertinent to dental stem cells and their applications, published in peer-reviewed journals from 1982 to 2013 in English were reviewed.

SOURCES

Sources were retrieved from PubMed databases as well as related references that the electronic search yielded.

STUDY SELECTION

Manuscripts describing the origin, retrieval, characterization and application of dental stem cells were obtained and reviewed.

CONCLUSIONS

Dental stem cell populations present properties similar to those of mesenchymal stem cells, such as the ability to self-renew and the potential for multilineage differentiation. While they have greater capacity to give rise to odontogenic cells and regenerate dental pulp and periodontal tissue, they have the capacity to differentiate into all three germ line cells, proving that a population of pluripotent stem cells exists in the dental tissues.

CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE

Dental stem cells have the capacity to differentiate into endoderm, mesoderm and ectoderm tissues. Consequently they do not only have applications in dentistry, but also neurodegenerative and ischemic diseases, diabetes research, bone repair, and other applications in the field of tissue regeneration.

Human dental mesenchymal stem cells and neural regeneration

Nerve tissue presents inherent difficulties for its effective regeneration. Stem cell transplantation is considered an auspicious treatment for neuronal injuries. Recently, human dental mesenchymal stem cells (DMSCs) have received extensive attention in the field of regenerative medicine due to their accessibility and multipotency. Since their origin is within the neural crest, they can be differentiated into neural crest-derived cells including neuron and glia cells both in vitro and in vivo. DMSCs are also able to secrete a wide variety of neurotrophins and chemokines, which promote neuronal cells to survival and differentiation. Experimental evidence has shown that human DMSCs engraftment recovered neuronal tissue damage in animal models of central nervous system injuries. Human DMSCs can be a new hope for treatment of nervous system diseases and deficits such as spinal cord injury, stroke and Parkinson's disease.

Odontoblastic syncytium through electrical coupling in the human dental pulp

We have previously reported a dye-coupling network between odontoblasts (OBs). However, it is still unclear how the information detected by the odontoblasts is transmitted. The aim of this study was to characterize the odontoblastic syncytium electrophysiologically in the human dental pulp. Pulpal cells were freshly isolated from human premolars immediately after extraction. Under a light microscope, coupled or small clusters (3-20) of odontoblasts, each of which had a monopolar process (95-280 µm) and an oval cell body, were easily observed to be lined up in parallel. Cells were used for electrophysiological recording within 3 hrs in the dual patch-clamp configuration. Electrical couplings were found between odontoblasts (37/40 pairs). Voltage gating showed directional independence between pairs of odontoblasts. The time constant to a current decay increased with the number of clustered odontoblasts. Nine of 37 pairs isolated from young patients were electrically coupled, but could not be voltage-clamped. Transjunctional currents were blocked by octanol. These results suggest that odontoblasts form a syncytium that is directionally independent via symmetric gap junction channels in the odontoblastic layer. Young odontoblasts with a high electrical conductance to neighboring cells may be related to high potential of information transmission or calcification.

Neural crest stem cells from dental tissues: a new hope for dental and neural regeneration

Several stem cell sources persist in the adult human body, which opens the doors to both allogeneic and autologous cell therapies. Tooth tissues have proven to be a surprisingly rich and accessible source of neural crest-derived ectomesenchymal stem cells (EMSCs), which may be employed to repair disease-affected oral tissues in advanced regenerative dentistry. Additionally, one area of medicine that demands intensive research on new sources of stem cells is nervous system regeneration, since this constitutes a therapeutic hope for patients affected by highly invalidating conditions such as spinal cord injury, stroke, or neurodegenerative diseases. However, endogenous adult sources of neural stem cells present major drawbacks, such as their scarcity and complicated obtention. In this context, EMSCs from dental tissues emerge as good alternative candidates, since they are preserved in adult human individuals, and retain both high proliferation ability and a neural-like phenotype in vitro. In this paper, we discuss some important aspects of tissue regeneration by cell therapy and point out some advantages that EMSCs provide for dental and neural regeneration. We will finally review some of the latest research featuring experimental approaches and benefits of dental stem cell therapy.

Dexamethasone effects on Na(v)1.6 in tooth pulp, dental nerves, and alveolar osteoclasts of adult rats

Dexamethasone causes extensive physiologic reactions including the reduction of inflammation and pain. Here, we asked whether it also affected dental or periodontal cells or dental innervation by altering voltage-gated sodium channel Na(v)1.6 immunoreactivity (IR) or neural synaptophysin. Daily dexamethasone (0.2 mg/kg) given for 1 week to rats caused 12-fold increased intensity of Na(v)1.6-IR in dendritic pulpal cells of normal molars and incisors compared with vehicle treatment. These cells also co-localized monocyte (ED-1) or dendritic cell (CD11b/Ox42) markers, and their location in molars expanded during dexamethasone treatment to include deeper pulp. Furthermore, dexamethasone caused a 10-fold decrease in the number of Na(v)1.6-immunoreactive multinucleate osteoclasts along the alveolar bone of molar root sockets. No changes occurred for neural Na(v)1.6 at axonal nodes of Ranvier, even though IR for calcitonin gene-related peptide was greatly decreased, as expected, and neural synaptophysin-IR was decreased 59% by dexamethasone. At 4 days after tooth injury, pulpal vasodilation and increased Na(v)1.6-immunoreactive pulp cells were similar for all groups. Thus, dexamethasone changes dental pulp cell and alveolar osteoclast Na(v)1.6-IR in normal teeth, but different mechanisms occur after tooth injury when tissue reactions were similar for dexamethasone- and vehicle-treated rats. Steroid-induced alterations of dental pain and inflammation coincide with altered exocytic capability in dental nerve fibers as shown by synaptophysin-IR and with altered pulp cell Na(v)1.6-IR and osteoclast number, but not with any changes in Na(v)1.6-IR for nodes of Ranvier in myelinated dental axons.

Adult human dental pulp stem cells differentiate toward functionally active neurons under appropriate environmental cues

Human adult dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs) reside within the perivascular niche of dental pulp and are thought to originate from migrating cranial neural crest (CNC) cells. During embryonic development, CNC cells differentiate into a wide variety of cell types, including neurons of the peripheral nervous system. Previously, we have demonstrated that DPSCs derived from adult human third molar teeth differentiate into cell types reminiscent of CNC embryonic ontology. We hypothesized that DPSCs exposed to the appropriate environmental cues would differentiate into functionally active neurons. The data demonstrated that ex vivo-expanded human adult DPSCs responded to neuronal inductive conditions both in vitro and in vivo. Human adult DPSCs, but not human foreskin fibroblasts (HFFs), acquired a neuronal morphology, and expressed neuronal-specific markers at both the gene and protein levels. Culture-expanded DPSCs also exhibited the capacity to produce a sodium current consistent with functional neuronal cells when exposed to neuronal inductive media. Furthermore, the response of human DPSCs and HFFs to endogenous neuronal environmental cues was determined in vivo using an avian xenotransplantation assay. DPSCs expressed neuronal markers and acquired a neuronal morphology following transplantation into the mesencephalon of embryonic day-2 chicken embryo, whereas HFFs maintained a thin spindle fibroblastic morphology. We propose that adult human DPSCs provide a readily accessible source of exogenous stem/precursor cells that have the potential for use in cell-therapeutic paradigms to treat neurological disease.

Voltage-gated Sodium Channels Confer Excitability to Human Odontoblasts

Odontoblasts are responsible for the dentin formation. They are suspected to play a role in tooth pain transmission as sensor cells because of their close relationship with nerve, but this role has never been evidenced. We demonstrate here that human odontoblasts in vitro produce voltage-gated tetrodotoxin-sensitive Na(+) currents in response to depolarization under voltage clamp conditions and are able to generate action potentials. Odontoblasts express neuronal isoforms of alpha2 and beta2 subunits of sodium channels. Co-cultures of odontoblasts with trigeminal neurons indicate a clustering of alpha2 and beta2 sodium channel subunits and, at the sites of cell-cell contact, a co-localization of odontoblasts beta2 subunits with peripherin. In vivo, sodium channels are expressed in odontoblasts. Ankyrin(G) and beta2 co-localize, suggesting a link for signal transduction between axons and odontoblasts. Evidence for excitable properties of odontoblasts and clustering of key molecules at the site of odontoblast-nerve contact strongly suggest that odontoblasts may operate as sensor cells that initiate tooth pain transmission.

Rapid penetration of lucifer yellow into vital teeth and dye coupling between odontoblasts and neighbouring pulp cells in the cat

The location and long process of odontoblasts appear well suited to detection of external stimuli. The odontoblasts may transmit the information not individually but as a syncytium via gap junction, which functions as a mechanism for intercellular linking cells and as the route for dye coupling. The aims of the present study were to examine dye penetration through enamel and dentin, and to confirm dye coupling between odontoblasts (OBs) or between odontoblasts and other pulpal cells beneath the odontoblastic layer (PCs). Either lucifer yellow (LY) or borate buffer (control) was applied to etched enamel surface of feline canines for 30 min at atmospheric pressure. In the decalcified sections, lucifer yellow positive cells were found not only in but also beneath the odontoblastic layer (experiment 1). In the isolated pulp cells, all OBs (27/27) and some PCs (6/9) that were immunocytochemically differentiated using two monoclonal antibodies were labelled with LY (experiment 2). These results indicate the remarkably quick movement of LYE through enamel and dentin into the superficial pulp. In experiment 3, fresh OBs and PCs were isolated from feline canines to which LY had not been applied. LY was iontophoretically injected into an OB-like cell that had an oval cell body and a long monopolar process. Some PCs and OBs identified immunocytochemically were labelled with LY, with the exception of a few LY-negative cells. These findings indicate that dye coupling exists not only between OBs but also between OBs and PCs. Thus, the coupling provides evidence for a functional link via which information is transmitted between OBs and PCs.

GFAP immunoreactivity and transcription in trigeminal and dental tissues of rats and transgenic GFP/GFAP mice

Sensory mechanisms in teeth are not well understood and may involve pulpal-neural interactions. Tooth cells that proliferate in vitro have polyclonal immunoreactivity (IR) for glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), growth-associated protein (GAP-43), and vimentin, plus glial-like ion channels. Here, we analyzed GFAP-IR patterns in dental and trigeminal tissues of rats, for comparison with green fluorescent protein (GFP) associated with GFAP transcription in transgenic mice, in order to better characterize glial-like cells in dental tissues. Astrocytes, ganglion satellite cells, and epineurial Schwann cells were demonstrated by anti-GFAP antibodies and GFP-GFAP, as expected. Odontoblasts did not stain by any of these methods and cannot be the glial-like cells. Fibroblasts and undifferentiated mesenchymal cells in pulp had polyclonal GFAP-IR and vimentin-IR, while nerve fibers reacted only with polyclonal antibody. Some Schwann cell subtypes in trigeminal nerve and oral mucosa were positive for GFP and for polyclonal anti-GFAP, but not for monoclonal antibody. In pulp almost all Schwann cells were unstained, but many Schwann cells in periodontal ligament had polyclonal GFAP-IR. These results show greater heterogeneity for Schwann cells than expected, and suggest that the glial-like pulp cells are fibroblasts and/or undifferentiated mesenchymal cells or stem cells. We also found that polyclonal GFAP revealed intermediate filaments in preterminal sensory nerve fibers, thereby providing a useful marker for that neural subregion. GFP transcription by some Schwann cell subtypes in oral mucosae and trigeminal nerve, but not trigeminal root was a novel finding that reveals more complexity in peripheral glia than previously recognized.

Expression and localization of TREK-1 K+ channels in human odontoblasts

During tooth development, odontoblasts are the cells that form dentin and possibly mediate early stages of sensory processing in teeth. It is suggested that ion channels assist in these events. Indeed, mechanosensitive potassium currents, transducing mechanical stimuli into electrical cell signals, have been previously recorded in the human odontoblast cell membrane. Here, we show by RT-PCR that the mechanosensitive potassium channel TREK-1 (a member of the two-pore-domain potassium channel family) is overexpressed in these cultured cells compared with pulp cells in vitro. In situ hybridization showed that transcripts are detected in the odontoblast layer in vivo. The use of antibodies shows that TREK-1 is strongly expressed in the membrane of coronal odontoblasts and absent in the root. This distribution is related to the spatial distribution of nerve endings identified by labeling of the low-affinity nerve growth factor (NGF) receptor (p75(NTR)). These results demonstrate the expression of TREK-1 in human odontoblasts in vitro and in vivo.

Stem cell properties of human dental pulp stem cells

In this study, we characterized the self-renewal capability, multi-lineage differentiation capacity, and clonogenic efficiency of human dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs). DPSCs were capable of forming ectopic dentin and associated pulp tissue in vivo. Stromal-like cells were reestablished in culture from primary DPSC transplants and re-transplanted into immunocompromised mice to generate a dentin-pulp-like tissue, demonstrating their self-renewal capability. DPSCs were also found to be capable of differentiating into adipocytes and neural-like cells. The odontogenic potential of 12 individual single-colony-derived DPSC strains was determined. Two-thirds of the single-colony-derived DPSC strains generated abundant ectopic dentin in vivo, while only a limited amount of dentin was detected in the remaining one-third. These results indicate that single-colony-derived DPSC strains differ from each other with respect to their rate of odontogenesis. Taken together, these results demonstrate that DPSCs possess stem-cell-like qualities, including self-renewal capability and multi-lineage differentiation.

A voltage-dependent transient K(+) current in rat dental pulp cells

We characterized a voltage-dependent transient K(+) current in dental pulp fibroblasts on dental pulp slice preparations by using a nystatin perforated-patch recording configuration. The mean resting membrane potential of dental pulp fibroblasts was -53 mV. Depolarizing voltage steps to +60 mV from a holding potential of -80 mV evoked transient outward currents that are activated rapidly and subsequently inactivated during pulses. The activation threshold of the transient outward current was -40 mV. The reversal potential of the current closely followed the K(+) equilibrium potential, indicating that the current was selective for K(+). The steady-state inactivation of the peak outward K(+) currents described by a Boltzmann function with half-inactivation occurred at -47 mV. The K(+) current exhibited rapid activation, and the time to peak amplitude of the current was dependent on the membrane potentials. The inactivation process of the current was well fitted with a single exponential function, and the current exhibited slow inactivating kinetics (the time constants of decay ranged from 353 ms at -20 mV to 217 ms at +60 mV). The K(+) current was sensitive to intracellular Cs(+) and to extracellular 4-aminopyridine in a concentration-dependent manner, but it was not sensitive to tetraethylammonium, mast cell degranulating peptide, and dendrotoxin-I. The blood depressing substance-I failed to block the K(+) current. These results indicated that dental pulp fibroblasts expressed a slow-inactivating transient K(+) current.

Characterization and gene expression of high conductance calcium-activated potassium channels displaying mechanosensitivity in human odontoblasts

Odontoblasts form a layer of cells responsible for the dentin formation and possibly mediate early stages of sensory processing in teeth. Several classes of ion channels have previously been identified in the odontoblast or pulp cell membrane, and it is suspected that these channels assist in these events. This study was carried out to characterize the K(Ca) channels on odontoblasts fully differentiated in vitro using the patch clamp technique and to investigate the HSLO gene expression encoding the alpha-subunit of these channels on odontoblasts in vivo. In inside-out patches, K(Ca) channels were identified on the basis of their K(+) selectivity, conductance, voltage, and Ca(2+) dependence. In cell-attached patches, these channels were found to be activated by application of a negative pressure as well as an osmotic shock. By reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, a probe complementary to K(Ca) alpha-subunit mRNA was constructed and used for in situ hybridization on human dental pulp samples. Transcripts were expressed in the odontoblast layer. The use of antibodies showed that the K(Ca) channels were preferentially detected at the apical pole of the odontoblasts. These channels could be involved in mineralization processes. Their mechanosensitivity suggests that the fluid displacement within dentinal tubules could be transduced into electrical cell signals.

A small-conductance Ca(2+)-activated K+ current and Cl- current in rat dental pulp cells

We characterized a voltage-dependent ionic current in dental pulp cells on dental pulp slices using a nystatin perforated-patch recording configuration. The outward currents in dental pulp cells were inhibited by the following channel blockers: 1) Ca(2+)-free extracellular solution containing 10 mM Ba2+, 2) extracellular 400 nM apamin and 3) extracellular 300 nM 4,4'-diisothiocyanatostilbene-2,2'-disulfonic acid (DIDS). On the other hand, 15 mM tetraethylammonium (TEA) did not inhibit the outward currents. The inhibitory effects of Ca(2+)-free extracellular solution, apamin and DIDS had voltage-dependency. These results indicated that dental pulp cells expressed a small-conductance Ca(2+)-activated K+ current (SK current) and a DIDS-sensitive Cl- current. The functional significance of these channels is discussed.

Selective but nonspecific immunolabeling of enamel protein-associated compartments by a monoclonal antibody against vimentin

Vimentin, an intermediate filament component, has been identified in many mesenchymal cells by a variety of LM and EM immunolabeling techniques. In our study, several tissue-processing conditions and monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies against vimentin were screened for immunostaining of rat incisor odontoblasts. Using postembedding colloidal gold immunocytochemistry, we were unable to detect any convincing vimentin antigenicity in these cells, but one of the monoclonal antibodies (V9-S) unexpectedly resulted in intense labeling over intra- and extracellular compartments that normally are strongly immunoreactive with anti-amelogenin antibodies. Blocking experiments showed that V9-S binding was competed by anti-amelogenin antibody. Immunoblots indicated that enamel proteins reacted with this anti-vimentin antibody after fixation with glutaraldehyde. These data suggest that the observed immunoreaction is directed against an epitope apparently created by crosslinking of enamel proteins during fixation. Although the labeling cannot be considered specific, it is nevertheless selective because it is very precisely localized over compartments containing enamel proteins and shows no binding to other calcified dental tissues, including dentin and bone. The V9-S antibody can therefore be used as a reliable probe to identify the presence and distribution of amelogenins in fixed tissues. (J Histochem Cytochem 47:1237-1245, 1999)

Potassium and chloride channels in freshly isolated rat odontoblasts

It has been suggested that understanding the physiological properties of odontoblasts may be important in understanding the mechanisms underlying both metabolic and transductive processes in dental pulp. Because ion flux(es) may play a critical role in these events, it is of particular interest to understand ionic mechanisms in odontoblast cells. Thus, the aim of this study was to use patch-clamp recording techniques to examine the properties of resident ion channels in freshly dissociated odontoblasts. In recordings made in potassium-rich solutions, cells displayed at least three distinct channel amplitudes, with conductances of 130 +/- 18 pS, 52 +/- 4 pS, and 25 +/- 2 pS, respectively. Channel activity persisted in the presence of potassium salts of impermeant anions, and could be abolished by barium, a non-specific potassium channel blocker. In addition to the potassium conductances, we saw two separate anion channels in the odontoblast membrane. These channels were predominantly chloride-selective, weakly permeable to both acetate and aspartate, and had conductances of 391 +/- 64 pS and 24 +/- 3 pS. While questions remain regarding the functional role of these and other ion channels that presumably reside in the odontoblast membrane, our results demonstrate that it is possible to study ionic mechanisms of the odontoblast at the level of the single cell.