Characterization of dental pulp stem cells isolated from canine premolars

Dogs are commonly used animal models for regenerative endodontics research. Although several studies have used stem cells isolated from dog teeth to investigate the dentin/pulp regeneration in vivo, less attention has been paid for the characterization of these cells. Therefore, this study aimed to characterize the dental pulp stem cells isolated from dog teeth (cDPSCs) in order to further define the dog as an animal model for regenerative endodontics.

Stem cells were isolated from freshly extracted premolars of 10-month-old Beagles. The isolated cells were investigated for their stem cell properties by analysis of their clonogenic and growth characteristics; expression of mesenchymal stem cell markers; and evaluation of their osteo/odontogenic, adipogenic, and neurogenic potential.

A colony formation assay showed the existence of a clonogenic cell population in cDPSCs isolated. The growth curves revealed a higher proliferation rate of cDPSCs compared with hBMMSCs. cDPSCs expressed mesenchymal stem cell markers STRO-1, CD146, and Nanog. However, they were negative for CD73, CD105, and CD45. cDPSCs were able to differentiate into odontoblast-like cells as shown by increased alkaline phosphatase activity, dentin sialoprotein expression, and formation of mineralized nodules. cDPSCs also showed the neurogenic and adipogenic differentiation potential at a lower level compared with those of hDPSCs and hBMMSCs.

The results of this study confirmed the stem cell properties of cDPSCs at a comparable level to those of hDPSCs and hBMMSCs. Overall, the data presented in this study provide evidence in supportive of using cDPSCs and dogs as an animal model in dental tissue engineering via stem cell-based approaches.