Promising cell-based therapy for bone regeneration using stem cells from deciduous teeth, dental pulp, and bone...

Area of Science:

• Regenerative Medicine
• Tissue Engineering
• Stem Cell Biology

Background:

• Significant osseous defects pose challenges in bone regeneration.
• Tissue engineering and regenerative medicine offer potential solutions for bone repair.
• Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) serves as a scaffold and signaling molecule in regenerative therapies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the efficacy of various stem cells combined with PRP in regenerating bone within large osseous defects.
• To compare the bone regenerative potential of canine mesenchymal stem cells (cMSCs), canine dental pulp stem cells (cDPSCs), and puppy deciduous teeth stem cells (pDTSCs).
• To assess the suitability of these stem cell-derived grafts for orthopedic and oral maxillofacial reconstruction.

Main Methods:

• Canine stem cells (cMSCs, cDPSCs, pDTSCs) were isolated and cultured.
• Bone defects were created in a canine mandible model.
• Graft materials, including stem cells with PRP, were implanted into the defects.
• Histological, histomorphometric, and osteocalcin expression analyses were performed at 2, 4, and 8 weeks post-implantation.

Main Results:

• Histological analysis revealed mature bone formation and neovascularization in groups treated with cMSCs/PRP, cDPSCs/PRP, and pDTSCs/PRP.
• Osteocalcin, a marker of bone formation, was positive in mineralized tissues of these groups at 8 weeks.
• Histomorphometric analysis showed significantly higher newly formed bone areas in stem cell groups (52.8–61.6%) compared to control and PRP-only groups (19.0–19.7%) at 8 weeks.

Conclusions:

• Stem cells from deciduous teeth, dental pulp, and bone marrow, when combined with PRP, effectively promote bone regeneration in significant osseous defects.
• Deciduous teeth stem cells (pDTSCs) show potential for generating grafts, possibly between different age groups (child-parent).
• This preclinical research supports the potential clinical application of stem cell therapy for orthopedic and oral maxillofacial reconstruction.