
CD146 and STRO-1 are endothelial biomarkers that are co-expressed on the cellular membranes of blood vessels within human dental pulp tissue. This study characterized the percentage of dentin-like structures produced by CD146-positive (CD146+) human dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs), compared with their CD146-negative (CD146-) counterparts. DPSC populations were enriched using magnetic-activated cell sorting (MACS), yielding CD146+ and CD146- cells, as well as mixtures composed of 25% CD146+ cells and 75% CD146- cells (CD146+/-). Cell growth assays indicated that CD146+ cells exhibit an approximate 3-4 h difference in doubling time, compared with CD146- cells. Cell cycle distributions were determined by flow cytometry analysis. The low percentage of CD146+ cells' DNA content in G0/G1 phase were compared with CD146- and non-separated cells. In contrast to CD146- and non-separated cells, prompt mineralization was observed in CD146+ cells. Subsequently, qRT-PCR revealed high mRNA expression of CD146 and Alkaline phosphatase in mineralization-induced CD146+ cells. CD146+ cells were also observed high adipogenic ability by Oil red O staining. Histological examinations revealed an increased area of dentin/pulp-like structures in transplanted CD146+ cells, compared with CD146- and CD146+/- cells. Immunohistochemical studies detected dentin matrix protein-1 (DMP1) and dentin sialophosphoprotein (DSPP), as well as human mitochondria, in transplanted DPSCs. Co-expression of CD146 and GFP indicated that CD146 was expressed in transplanted CD146+ cells. CD146+ cells may promote mineralization and generate dentin/pulp-like structures, suggesting a role in self-renewal of stem cells and dental pulp regenerative therapy.
Adipogenesis, Stem Cells, Cell Cycle, Cell Differentiation, CD146 Antigen, Regenerative Medicine, Dentin, Humans, Regeneration, Cells, Cultured, Dental Pulp, Research Article, Cell Proliferation
Adipogenesis, Stem Cells, Cell Cycle, Cell Differentiation, CD146 Antigen, Regenerative Medicine, Dentin, Humans, Regeneration, Cells, Cultured, Dental Pulp, Research Article, Cell Proliferation
| selected citations These citations are derived from selected sources. This is an alternative to the "Influence" indicator, which also reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically). | 53 | |
| popularity This indicator reflects the "current" impact/attention (the "hype") of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network. | Top 1% | |
| influence This indicator reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically). | Top 10% | |
| impulse This indicator reflects the initial momentum of an article directly after its publication, based on the underlying citation network. | Top 10% |
