Neurodegenerative diseases represent a major incapacitating health problem due to its difficulty in treatment. If the nervous system is injured, neurons are unable to regenerate efficiently. Importantly, a variety of stem cells have been determined as a possible treatment if they can be induced to differentiate along neurogenic lineage. Here we present research on the factors which can determine neurogenic differentiation of Dental Pulp Stem Cells (DPSCs). DPSCs are pluripotent stem cells that have been shown to differentiate in vitro along neurogenic, osteogenic or adipogenic lineage depending on the media in which they are cultured. We have previously shown that RDP could enhance the proliferation on DPSCs. We also have shown that osteogenic differentiation of the DPSC is highly dependent on the properties of the substrate. Here we present a study aimed at determining the optimal polymer scaffold for implementing neurogenic and osteogenic differentiation.<br/>We prepared the substrates of RDP/clay with polylactic acid and RDP/clay with polystyrene which were spuncast onto Si wafers. The surface roughness and crystallinity were assessed using AFM. DPSCs were cultured on these substrates, as well as on tissue culture plastic (TCP) in growth media. Subsequently, media was replaced with neurobasal media or osteo-media. We then imaged the cell morphology. Moreover, the degree of differentiation was investigated using RT-PCR. The aspect ratio of the cells was quantified at day 28, where it was found that the cells on the RDP clay had the larger value than cells on TCP. RT-PCR indicated that the cells on RDP/clay with PLA substrate had upregulation of NEFM compared to the cells on TCP which confirmed neurogenic differentiation. Besides, the cells on RDP/clay with polystyrene substrate had higher level of ALP and OCN comparing to pure PS at late stage which toward osteogenic differentiation.

Effect of RDP on neurogenic and osteogenic differentiation in dental pulp stem cells

ACS Spring 2022

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