Phenotypic Characterizations and Comparison of Adult Dental Stem Cells with Adipose-Derived Stem Cells

OBJECTIVES: Mesenchymal stem cells or “multipotent stromal cells” are heterogeneous cell population with self-renewal and multilinage differentiation. The aim of this study was to examine and compare the expression of important stem cell surface markers on two populations of mesenchymal stem cells, one derived from human exfoliated deciduous teeth and the other derived from human adipose tissue. These new stem cells will offer a promising avenue for prevention and reversal of many human diseases such as type 1 diabetes and prevention of liver fibrotic process. METHODS: Mesenchymal stem cells were isolated and cultured from human adipose tissue and dental pulp of human exfoliated deciduous teeth. The cultured cells then were harvested and stained by different fluorescent labeled monoclonal antibodies against surface markers and were analyzed using flow cytometry. RESULTS: Both different cell populations expressed CD44, CD90 and CD13 (stem cell markers) with similar intensity. They did not express hematopoietic markers (CD11b, CD19 and CD34), and lymphocyte or leukocyte antigens CD3, CD7, CD20, CD14, CD45, CCR5 (CD195), CD11b and CD10 on their surfaces. Two different cell types demonstrated different levels of expression in CD56 and CD146. Mesenchymal stem cells from human exfoliated deciduous teeth were positive for CD105 and were negative for CCR3 and CCR4 expression. CONCLUSIONS: Both cell populations derived from adipose tissue and dental pulp showed common phenotypic markers of mesenchymal stem cells. In conclusion, mesenchymal stem cells could be isolated and cultured successfully from dental pulp of human exfoliated deciduous teeth, they are very good candidates for treatment and prevention of human diseases.