The effect of different bioactive materials on the odontogenic differentiation potential of dental pulp stem cells using two different culture mediums

Context The main target in vital pulp therapy and regenerative procedures is to preserve or regenerate the pulp vitality via progenitor stem cells differentiation into secretory terminal cells. This differentiation was suggested to be triggered by the direct contact with the capping material. Aim The aim of this study was to evaluate and compare the effect of three bioactive materials on the odontogenic differentiation potential of human dental pulp stem cells using two different culture mediums. Patients and methods Nanohydroxyapatite, mineral trioxide aggregate and calcium enriched mixture cements were mixed and molded into equal sized cylinders. Isolated dental pulp stem cells from human third molars were characterized and then, the cultured cells were classified according to biomaterials supplementation in odontogenic differentiation medium or in growth medium. Cells without biomaterial supplementation in differentiation medium or in growth medium were served as positive and negative control respectively. After 14 days of incubation, alizarin red staining test was carried out to detect the presence of mineralized nodules in addition to measuring the relative expressions of the odontogenic differentiation genes in the cells by quantitative real‑time reverse‑transcription PCRs. Results Biomaterials cultured with odontogenically induced dental pulp stem cells had more significantly odontogenic differentiation potential than those cultured with uninduced dental pulp stem cells or than dental pulp stem cells cultured with differentiation medium only. Conclusion All tested materials can promote the odontogenic differentiation of dental pulp stem cells. Therefore, they can be considered as bioactive materials for pulp capping and regenerative applications.