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Updated: May 21, 2026
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Isolation, Culture, and Characterization of Dental Pulp Stem Cells from Human Deciduous and Permanent Teeth
Published on: May 17, 2024
Neural crest stem cell property of apical pulp cells derived from human developing tooth
Shigehiro Abe1, Keiichi Hamada, Masahiko Miura
1Maxillofacial Surgery, Graduate School, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Yushima, Bunkyoku, Japan.
Cell Biology International
|June 27, 2012
Summary
Adult human developing teeth contain neural crest-derived stem cells (NCSCs) in their apical pulp. These apical pulp-derived cells (APDCs) exhibit self-renewal and multi-lineage differentiation potential, suggesting their use in regenerative medicine.
Area of Science:
- Stem Cell Biology
- Developmental Biology
- Regenerative Medicine
Background:
- Neural crest-derived stem cells (NCSCs) are found in both embryonic and adult tissues.
- Dental pulp, originating from cranial neural crest cells, is a potential source of adult stem cells.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the presence and characteristics of NCSC-like cells in the apical pulp of human developing teeth.
- To evaluate the differentiation potential of these cells for tissue regeneration.
Main Methods:
- Primary explant culture of cells from human developing third molars' apical pulp.
- Neurosphere culture to assess self-renewal capacity.
- Immunophenotypic analysis for NCSC and stem cell markers.
- In vitro differentiation assays and in vivo ectopic bone formation studies.
Main Results:
- Apical pulp-derived cells (APDCs) formed spheres with self-renewal capacity.
- Sphere-forming cells expressed NCSC markers (p75, Snail, Slug) and NSC markers (Nestin, Musashi1).
- These cells differentiated into multiple mesenchymal and neural lineages in vitro and formed ectopic bone in vivo.
Conclusions:
- Human developing teeth with immature apices are a viable source of NCSC-like cells.
- These cells hold promise for neural crest lineage tissue regeneration.
- Apical pulp-derived cells possess characteristics similar to previously reported NCSCs in mice.
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