Department of Pulp Biology and Endodontics, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Tokyo Medical and Dental University (TMDU), Yushima 1-5-45, Bunkyo-Ku, Tokyo, 113-8549, Japan.
Stem Cell Rev Rep. 2018 Oct;14(5):668-676. doi: 10.1007/s12015-018-9826-9.
Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are adult stem cells that can be isolated from human and animal sources such as rats. Recently, an in vivo protocol for pulp tissue engineering using implantation of bone marrow MSCs into rat pulpotomized molars was established by our research group. This coronal pulp regeneration model showed almost complete regeneration/healing with dentin bridge formation when the cavity was sealed with mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) to create a biocompatible seal of the pulp. This method is a powerful tool for elucidating the processes of dental pulp tissue regeneration following implantation of MSCs. In the present review, we discuss the literature in the field of dental pulp tissue engineering using MSCs including dental pulp stem cells and stem cells from exfoliated deciduous teeth. In addition, we present a brief step-by-step protocol of the coronal pulp regeneration model focusing on the implantation of rat bone marrow MSCs, biodegradable scaffolds, and hydrogels in pulpotomized rat molars. The protocol may lay the foundation for studies aiming at defining further histological and molecular mechanism of the rat pulp tissue engineering.
间充质干细胞（MSCs）是一种成体干细胞，可从人类和动物来源（如大鼠）中分离得到。最近，我们的研究小组建立了一种使用骨髓间充质干细胞植入大鼠活髓切断磨牙的牙髓组织工程体内方案。当用矿化三氧化物凝聚体（MTA）密封空腔以形成牙髓的生物相容性密封时，这种冠部牙髓再生模型显示出几乎完全的再生/愈合，形成牙本质桥。该方法是阐明植入间充质干细胞后牙髓组织再生过程的有力工具。在本综述中，我们讨论了使用 MSCs 进行牙髓组织工程的文献，包括牙髓干细胞和成釉细胞源性干细胞。此外，我们还介绍了一个简化的冠部牙髓再生模型的分步方案，重点介绍了大鼠骨髓间充质干细胞、可生物降解支架和水凝胶在活髓切断大鼠磨牙中的植入。该方案可能为旨在确定大鼠牙髓组织工程的进一步组织学和分子机制的研究奠定基础。
