RESUMEN
INTRODUCTION: Chondroitin sulfate (CS) is a major proteoglycan involved in the mineralization of the organic matrix of dentin. In this study, the roles of CS immobilized in cross-linked collagen I (Col I) hydrogels on odontogenic differentiation of dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs) and reparative dentin formation were investigated. METHODS: Different concentrations of CS were incorporated into the genipin-cross-linked Col I hydrogels (CS-0.05, CS-0.1, and CS-0.2, respectively). The influences of CS on the proliferation and odontogenic differentiation of DPSCs were investigated. Finally, the effect of the functionalized hydrogel on the formation of reparative dentin was analyzed in a rat pulp capping model in vivo. RESULTS: CS improved the proliferation of DPSCs seeded on the hydrogels (P < .05). CS also enhanced the mineralization activities and increased the expression levels of the odontogenic-related proteins of DPSCs on days 7 and 14 (P < .05). In vivo, CS-0.1 hydrogel induced reparative dentin formation with higher quality compared with mineral trioxide aggregate. CONCLUSIONS: CS immobilized in Col I hydrogels could induce odontogenic differentiation of DPSCs in vitro and promote homogeneous mineralized barrier formation in vivo. CS-Col I hydrogel has the potential for reparative dentin formation of high quality in direct pulp capping.
Asunto(s)
Pulpa Dental , Dentina Secundaria , Ratas , Animales , Sulfatos de Condroitina/farmacología , Sulfatos de Condroitina/metabolismo , Odontogénesis , Diferenciación Celular , Colágeno Tipo I/farmacología , Colágeno Tipo I/metabolismo , Fosfoproteínas/metabolismo , Células Madre , Hidrogeles/farmacología , Células Cultivadas , Proliferación CelularRESUMEN
Skin wound healing is a common challenging clinical issue which requires advanced treatment strategies. The present study investigated the therapeutic effects of exosomes derived from dental pulp stem cells (DPSCExos) on cutaneous wound healing and the underlying mechanisms. The effects of DPSCExos on cutaneous wound healing in mice were examined by measuring wound closure rates, and using histological and immunohistochemical analysis. A series of functional assays were performed to evaluate the effects of DPSCExos on the angiogenic activities of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) in vitro. Tandem mass tagbased quantitative proteomics analysis of DPSCs and DPSCExos was performed. Gene Ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway enrichment analyses were used to evaluate the biological functions and pathways for the differentially expressed proteins in DPSCExos. Western blot analysis was used to assess the protein levels of cell division control protein 42 (Cdc42) and p38 in DPSCExos and in HUVECs subjected to DPSCExosinduced angiogenesis. SB203580, a p38 mitogenactivated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway inhibitor, was employed to verify the role of the p38 MAPK pathway in vitro and in vivo. Histological and immunohistochemical staining revealed that the DPSCExos accelerated wound healing by promoting neovascularization. The DPSCExos promoted the migration, proliferation and capillary formation capacity of HUVECs. Proteomics data demonstrated that proteins contained in DPSCExos regulated vasculature development and angiogenesis. Pathway analysis revealed that proteins expressed in DPSCExos were involved in several pathways, including MAPK pathway. Western blot analysis demonstrated that the DPSCExos increased the protein levels of Cdc42 and phosphorylation of p38 in HUVECs. SB203580 suppressed the angiogenesis induced by DPSCExos. On the whole, the present study demonstrates that DPSCExos accelerate cutaneous wound healing by enhancing the angiogenic properties of HUVECs via the Cdc42/p38 MAPK signaling pathway.