Effects of Platelet-Rich Plasma on Proliferation, Viability, and Odontogenic Differentiation of Neural Crest Stem-Like Cells Derived from Human Dental Apical Papilla

Effect of Human Platelet Lysate as Cultivation Nutrient Supplement on Human Natal Dental Pulp Stem Cell In Vitro Expansion

Despite several scientific or ethical issues, fetal bovine serum (FBS) remains the standard nutrient supplement in the mesenchymal stem cell cultivation medium. Cell amplification plays an important role in human stem cell therapies. Increasing interest in this field has supported attempts to find suitable human alternatives to FBS for in vitro cell propagation. Human platelet lysate (hPL) has recently been determined as one of them. Our study aimed to evaluate the influence of 2% hPL in the growth medium for in vitro expansion of human natal dental pulp stem cells (hNDP-SCs). The effect was determined on proliferation rate, viability, phenotype profile, expression of several markers, relative telomere length change, and differentiation potential of four lineages of hNDP-SCs. As a control, hNDP-SCs were simultaneously cultivated in 2% FBS. hNDP-SCs cultivated in hPL showed a statistically significantly higher proliferation rate in initial passages. We did not observe a statistically significant effect on mesenchymal stem cell marker (CD29, CD44, CD73, CD90) or stromal-associated marker (CD13, CD166) expression. The cell viability, relative telomere length, or multipotency remained unaffected in hNDP-SCs cultivated in hPL-medium. In conclusion, hPL produced under controlled and standardized conditions is an efficient serum supplement for in vitro expansion of hNDP-SCs.

Neural Crest-Derived Stem Cells (NCSCs) Obtained from Dental-Related Stem Cells (DRSCs): A Literature Review on Current Knowledge and Directions toward Translational Applications

Evidence from dental-related stem cells (DRSCs) suggests an enhanced potential for ectodermal lineage differentiation due to their neural crest origin. Growing evidence that DRSC cultures can produce cells with a neural crest-derived stem cell (NCSC)-like phenotype supports their potential for future therapeutic approaches for neurodegenerative diseases and nerve injuries. However, most of the evidence is limited to the characterization of DRSCs as NCSCs by detecting the expression of neural crest markers. Only a few studies have provided proof of concept of an improved neuro-glial differentiation or direct applicability in relevant models. In addition, a current problem is that several of the existing protocols do not meet manufacturing standards for transferability to a clinical scenario. This review describes the current protocols to obtain NCSCs from DRSCs and their characterization. Also, it provides important considerations from previous work where DRSCs were established and characterized as mesenchymal stromal cells but studied for their neuro-glial differentiation potential. The therapeutic advancement of DRSCs would depend on establishing protocols that can yield a neural crest-like phenotype efficiently, using appropriate manufacturing standards and testing them in relevant models of disease or injury. Achieving these conditions could then facilitate and validate the therapeutic potential of DRSC-NCSCs in regenerative therapies.

Wnt Signalling in Regenerative Dentistry

Teeth are complex structures where a soft dental pulp tissue is enriched with nerves, vasculature and connective tissue and encased by the cushioning effect of dentin and the protection of a hard enamel in the crown and cementum in the root. Injuries such as trauma or caries can jeopardise these layers of protection and result in pulp exposure, inflammation and infection. Provision of most suitable materials for tooth repair upon injury has been the motivation of dentistry for many decades. Wnt signalling, an evolutionarily conserved pathway, plays key roles during pre- and post-natal development of many organs including the tooth. Mutations in the components of this pathway gives rise to various types of developmental tooth anomalies. Wnt signalling is also fundamental in the response of odontoblasts to injury and repair processes. The complexity of tooth structure has resulted in diverse studies looking at specific compartments or cell types of this organ. This review looks at the current advances in the field of tooth development and regeneration. The objective of the present review is to provide an updated vision on dental biomaterials research, focusing on their biological properties and interactions to act as evidence for their potential use in vital pulp treatment procedures. We discuss the outstanding questions and future directions to make this knowledge more translatable to the clinics.

Effects of Platelet-Rich Plasma on Cellular Populations of the Central Nervous System: The Influence of Donor Age

Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is a biologic therapy that promotes healing responses across multiple medical fields, including the central nervous system (CNS). The efficacy of this therapy depends on several factors such as the donor's health status and age. This work aims to prove the effect of PRP on cellular models of the CNS, considering the differences between PRP from young and elderly donors. Two different PRP pools were prepared from donors 65‒85 and 20‒25 years old. The cellular and molecular composition of both PRPs were analyzed. Subsequently, the cellular response was evaluated in CNS in vitro models, studying proliferation, neurogenesis, synaptogenesis, and inflammation. While no differences in the cellular composition of PRPs were found, the molecular composition of the Young PRP showed lower levels of inflammatory molecules such as CCL-11, as well as the presence of other factors not found in Aged PRP (GDF-11). Although both PRPs had effects in terms of reducing neural progenitor cell apoptosis, stabilizing neuronal synapses, and decreasing inflammation in the microglia, the effect of the Young PRP was more pronounced. In conclusion, the molecular composition of the PRP, conditioned by the age of the donors, affects the magnitude of the biological response.