Glial cell-derived neurotrophic factor promotes dental pulp stem cell migration

Preserving the vitality of the teeth is critical in maintaining the function and aesthetics of teeth during dental treatment. Dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs) are mesenchymal cells that are demonstrated to possess stem cell properties, such as self-renewal, proliferation, and pluripotency. DPSCs can be obtained through non-invasive procedure from the dental pulp and become potential resources for tissue regeneration. Neurotrophic factors are known to promote survival and growth of neurons. In the present study, we examined the expression of the glial cell-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) family ligands and receptors and characterized the intracellular localization of them in DPSCs. GDNF increased the migration of the DPSCs. In addition, we found that the AKT and MAPK pathways were downstream of GDNF in regulating the DPSC wound healing and migration. Our results indicate that neurotrophic factors play a role in dental pulp regeneration and may be potential novel therapies for post pulpotomy treatment in adult teeth.