Regulatory Pathways Governing Odonto/Osteogenic Differentiation in Dental Pulp Stem Cells

The ability of dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs) to undergo differentiation into odonto/osteogenic lineages is governed by complex cell signalling regulatory networks and interactions between cells and the extracellular matrix (ECM).

This article provides a comprehensive evaluation of cell signalling pathways and ECM that modulate odonto/osteogenic differentiation of DPSCs.

A comprehensive narrative review method was utilised to examine the key cell signalling mechanisms that govern odonto/osteogenic differentiation in DPSCs, aiming to clarify their significance and critically evaluate their prospective implications for future applications in dentine/pulp repair and regenerative strategies.

Current literatures demonstrate that transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β), Wnt, Notch, and fibroblast growth factor (FGF) signalling, both individually and through interactions, influence stem cell fate. TGF-β1 is essential in regulating DPSC differentiation toward odonto/osteogenic lineages. Wnt signalling crucially contributes to reparative dentine formation, evidenced by its upregulation in animal models following pulp capping. Wnt activators significantly promote dentine regeneration. Notch signalling activates in the dental pulp niches, facilitating reparative dentinogenesis post-injury. Interactions between Notch and other pathways influence DPSC odonto/osteogenic differentiation. Basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) regulates DPSC stemness and differentiation, with factors such as dosage and exposure time influencing its biological impact. Furthermore, ECM components play a significant role in differentiating stem cells by enhancing biological factors in the microenvironment and providing physical support, thereby promoting dentine and pulp repair.

A comprehensive understanding of these regulatory mechanisms has the potential to augment insights into the control of DPSC differentiation and facilitate their utilisation in repair and regenerative therapies for the dentine-pulp complex.