Differentiation of isolated and characterized human dental pulp stem cells and stem cells from human exfoliated deciduous teeth: An in vitro study

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: Isolation, characterization and differentiation of dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs) and stem cells from exfoliated human deciduous teeth (SHED). METHODS: The pulp tissue was digested in collagenase and cultured in DMEM Dulbecco's Modified Eagle's Media). The stem cells were identified and isolated. Surface characterization of cells was done with flow cytometer using surface markers. An immuno cytochemistry analysis was done. Differentiation potential was analyzed using various differentiation markers. RESULTS: Flow cytometry analyses for various CD markers showed similar results for both DPSCs and SHED. The cells showed positive expression for pluripotent, ectodermal and mesodermal markers. Cells differentiated into osteoblasts and adipocytes. CONCLUSION: The study demonstrated that stem cells existed in deciduous and permanent pulp tissue. The stem cells present in pulp tissue can be isolated, cultivated and expanded in vitro. Both DPSCs and SHED show almost a similar expression pattern profile for variety of antigens tested.