Osteogenic stimulation of human dental pulp stem cells with self-setting biphasic calcium phosphate cement

Calcium phosphate cement (CPC) is widely used as a repair material for bone defects. However, there is no report on the use of biphasic CPC combined with dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs) for bone tissue engineering. The aim of this study was to construct biphasic CPC and to investigate its effect in the osteogenic stimulation of human DPSCs (hDPSCs) and macrophage polarization. Biphasic CPC was developed by adding different ratios of β-TCP to an equimolar mixture of tetracalcium phosphate (TTCP) and dicalcium phosphate anhydrous (DCPA). The biocompatibility, osteogenic capacity, and inflammatory reactions of the cements were examined. Our results show that biphasic CPC containing both HA and β-TCP was successfully fabricated. The addition of β-TCP did not increase necrosis or apoptosis of DPSCs. Significant increases in hDPSC mineral deposition and osteogenic marker (ColI and ALP) expression were observed in 20% TCP-CPC. The addition of β-TCP did not promote macrophage polarization to a proinflammatory phenotype. In conclusion, biphasic CPC with hDPSCs for bone regeneration was developed for the first time; the biphasic CPC combined with hDPSCs is expected to be used for the repair and regeneration of bone.