Odontologia

NIH Public Access
Author Manuscript
J Endod. Author manuscript; available in PMC 2009 April 1.
Published in final edited form as: J Endod. 2008 April ; 34(4): 421–426.

NIH-PA Author Manuscript NIH-PA Author Manuscript NIH-PA Author Manuscript

In-vivo Generation of Dental Pulp-Like Tissue Using Human Pulpal Stem Cells, a Collagen Scaffold and Dentin Matrix Protein 1 Following SubcutaneousTransplantation in Mice
Rebecca S. Prescott, DDS, MS, Rajaa Alsanea, DDS, Mohamed I. Fayad, DDS, MS, PhD, Bradford R. Johnson, DDS, MHPE, and Christopher S. Wenckus, DDS Department of Endodontics, University of Illinois at Chicago Jianjun Hao, PhD, Asha S. John, MS, and Anne George, PhD Department of Oral Biology, University of Illinois at Chicago

Abstract
The presence of a perforation isknown to significantly compromise the outcome of endodontic treatment. One potential use of regenerative endodontic therapy may be the repair of root canal perforations. In addition to nutrients and systemic in-situ interactions, the three main components believed to be essential for tissue regeneration are: stem cells, scaffold, and growth factors. This study investigated the role of each componentof the tissue engineering triad in the organization and differentiation of Dental Pulp Stem Cells (DPSCs) in a simulated furcal perforation site using a mouse model. Collagen served as the scaffold and dentin matrix protein 1 (DMP1) was the growth factor. Materials were placed in simulated perforation sites in dentin slices. MTA was the control repair material. At six weeks, the animals weresacrificed and the perforation sites were evaluated by light microscopy and histological staining. Organization of newly derived pulp tissue was seen in the group containing the triad of DPSCs, a collagen scaffold, and DMP1. The other four groups did not demonstrate any apparent tissue organization. Under the conditions of the present study, it may be concluded that the triad of DPSCs, a collagenscaffold, and DMP1 can induce an organized matrix formation similar to that of pulpal tissue, which may lead to hard tissue formation.

Keywords regenerative endodontics; tissue engineering; human pulpal stem cells; dentin matrix protein; perforation repair

INTRODUCTION
Recent progress in tissue engineering technology has led to a growing interest in the development of regenerative endodonticprocedures (1-4). Regeneration of the pulp-dentin complex could allow for natural replacement of damaged or missing tooth structures. Perforation repair is a potential clinical application of regenerative endodontics. The presence of a preoperative perforation has been identified as one of the most significant negative predictors of treatment outcome for orthograde retreatment root canal therapy(5). Variables affecting the long term prognosis of perforations include: location of the defect in relation to

Publisher's Disclaimer: This is a PDF file of an unedited manuscript that has been accepted for publication. As a service to our customers we are providing this early version of the manuscript. The manuscript will undergo copyediting, typesetting, and review of the resulting proof beforeit is published in its final citable form. Please note that during the production process errors may be discovered which could affect the content, and all legal disclaimers that apply to the journal pertain.

Prescott et al.

Page 2

the crestal bone, length of the root trunk, accessibility for repair, size of the defect, presence or absence of periodontal communication to the defect, timelapse between the perforation and repair, sealing ability of the restorative repair material, and other factors such as the technical skill of the clinician and the patient’s oral hygiene (6). An ideal perforation repair material should possess good sealing ability, be easy to manipulate and place, be compatible with the surrounding tissues and promote tissue regeneration in the area of the...