Allogeneic transplantation of mobilized dental pulp stem cells with the mismatched dog leukocyte antigen type is safe and efficacious for total pulp regeneration

BACKGROUND: We recently demonstrated that autologous transplantation of mobilized dental pulp stem cells (MDPSCs) was a safe and efficacious potential therapy for total pulp regeneration in a clinical study. The autologous MDPSCs, however, have some limitations to overcome, such as limited availability of discarded teeth from older patients. In the present study, we investigated whether MDPSCs can be used for allogeneic applications to expand their therapeutic use. METHODS: Analysis of dog leukocyte antigen (DLA) was performed using polymerase chain reaction from blood. Canine allogeneic MDPSCs with the matched and mismatched DLA were transplanted with granulocyte-colony stimulating factor in collagen into pulpectomized teeth respectively (n = 7, each). Results were evaluated by hematoxylin and eosin staining, Masson trichrome staining, PGP9.5 immunostaining, and BS-1 lectin immunostaining performed 12 weeks after transplantation. The MDPSCs of the same DLA used in the first transplantation were further transplanted into another pulpectomized tooth and evaluated 12 weeks after transplantation. RESULTS: There was no evidence of toxicity or adverse events of the allogeneic transplantation of the MDPSCs with the mismatched DLA. No adverse event of dual transplantation of the MDPSCs with the matched and mismatched DLA was observed. Regenerated pulp tissues including neovascularization and neuronal extension were quantitatively and qualitatively similar at 12 weeks in both matched and mismatched DLA transplants. Regenerated pulp tissue was similarly observed in the dual transplantation as in the single transplantation of MDPSCs both with the matched and mismatched DLA. CONCLUSIONS: Dual allogeneic transplantation of MDPSCs with the mismatched DLA is a safe and efficacious method for total pulp regeneration. ELECTRONIC SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIAL: The online version of this article (10.1186/s13287-018-0855-8) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.