Implanted Dental Pulp Cells Fail to Induce Regeneration in Partial Pulpotomies

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Regenerative Medicine
• Dental Research

Background:

• Cell-based therapies offer promise for regenerating the dentin-pulp complex.
• Partial pulp regeneration aims to preserve healthy tissue while repairing damage.
• Investigating the efficacy of porcine dental pulp cells (pDPCs) in a minipig model is crucial for translational research.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the potential of pDPCs within a nanopeptide hydrogel for achieving pulp regeneration in minipigs.
• To analyze the resulting dentin formation and pulp tissue response after implantation.
• To determine if pDPCs enhance or alter the regenerative process compared to the scaffold alone.

Main Methods:

• A split-mouth design was used in minipigs, implanting nanopeptide hydrogel with or without pDPCs after cameral pulpotomy.
• Treated teeth underwent 3D morphometric analysis, Masson's trichrome staining, and immunolabeling for dentin sialoprotein (DSP) and bone sialoprotein (BSP) at 21 days.
• Histological and microstructural evaluations were performed to assess dentin bridge formation and pulp tissue changes.

Main Results:

• No complete pulp regeneration was observed; instead, reparative dentinogenesis occurred, forming an osteodentin bridge.
• The microarchitecture of the osteodentin bridge differed significantly from native dentin.
• The presence of pDPCs influenced the microstructure of the dentin bridges and led to hyperemia and external root resorptions in the radicular pulp.

Conclusions:

• Cell-based therapy with pDPCs in the tested hydrogel did not achieve pulp regeneration in minipigs.
• The study resulted in reparative dentinogenesis, with pDPCs affecting the dentin bridge's microstructure.
• Further research is required to optimize the regenerative microenvironment for successful dental pulp repair.