Effect of tricalcium silicate on the proliferation and odontogenic differentiation of human dental pulp cells.

INTRODUCTION

This study was to investigate the effects of tricalcium silicate (Ca(3)SiO(5)) on proliferation and odontogenic differentiation of human dental pulp cells (hDPCs) in vitro.

METHODS

The hDPCs were seeded in culture medium with or without Ca(3)SiO(5) extract and calcium hydroxide (Ca(OH)(2)) extract. Proliferation of the hDPCs was measured by methyl-thiazol-tetrazolium (MTT) assay. Odontogenic differentiation of hDPCs was evaluated by real-time polymerase chain reaction by using odontogenic marker genes such as dentin sialophosphoprotein (DSPP), dentin matrix protein 1 (DMP 1), osteocalcin (OC), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and collagen type I (Col I), which were verified by ALP activity assessment, mineralization assay, and immunocytochemistry staining for dentin sialoprotein (DSP).

RESULTS

The MTT assay showed that hDPCs cultured with Ca(3)SiO(5) extract proliferated more significantly as compared with Ca(OH)(2) extract. Analysis of odontogenic marker genes indicated that Ca(3)SiO(5) enhanced the expression of those genes. Moreover, the extract of Ca(3)SiO(5) stimulated mineralization and increased ALP and DSP production conspicuously.

CONCLUSIONS

These results reveal that Ca(3)SiO(5) can induce the proliferation and odontogenic differentiation of hDPCs in vitro and might be a potential candidate for preparation of a new type of Ca(3)SiO(5-)based cement as a pulp-capping agent.