Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 23, 2026
Primary Culture of Dental Pulp Stem Cells
Published on: May 5, 2023
Porous phosphate glass microspheres loaded with dental pulp stem cell-derived exosomes for potential osteogenic
K G Aghila Rani1, Savitha Suresh1, Moustafa E Katamesh1
1Research Institute for Medical and Health Sciences, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates.
Objective:
This study investigated porous phosphate-based glass microspheres (PGMS) as a delivery system for human dental pulp stem cell (hDPSC)-derived exosomes (Exo) and examined their effects on osteogenic responses in human osteoblasts (HOB) in vitro.
Methods:
PGMS (40P2O5-24MgO-16CaO-20Na2O) were produced by flame spheroidization and characterized by SEM-EDX and FTIR to confirm their porous architecture, oxide distribution, and phosphate network integrity. hDPSC-derived exosomes were isolated, quantified, and validated by STEM and western blotting for CD9, CD63, and CD81 expression. HOBs were treated with PGMS (1 mg/mL), Exo (10 µg/mL), or PGMS loaded with Exo (PGMS+Exo), and cell responses were evaluated by viability assays, qPCR, western blotting, ALP activity, and mineralization.
Results:
Exo alone significantly enhanced HOB viability at 24 h, which was further increased by PGMS+Exo over time. PGMS+Exo treatment yielded the highest expression of osteogenic genes (RUNX2, ALP, Col1, OC), elevated ALP activity, and greater mineral deposition and calcium release compared with PGMS or Exo alone. Western blotting further corroborated these findings.
Conclusion:
Exosome-loaded PGMS enhanced osteogenic outcomes in vitro compared with individual treatments, indicating their potential as a therapeutic platform for bone regeneration.
Clinical Significance:
The results suggest that exosome‑loaded phosphate‑based microspheres offer a regenerative approach for enhancing dental and craniofacial bone repair, although the findings are limited to in vitro experiments and require in vivo validation.
