Exploring and comparing the angiogenic properties of different dental stem cell populations

Abstract

Therapeutic angiogenesis is very promising, however, current revascularization strategies are unsuccessful. Since angiogenesis is key to the development of the tooth, this study compared the angiogenic potential of 3 dental stem cell (DSC) types: dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs), dental follicle stem cells (FSCs) and stem cells from the apical papilla (SCAPs). Angiogenic factors secreted by the DSCs were identified in a Human Angiogenesis Array, followed by validation by means of ELISA and RT-PCR. In vitro assays with a Human Microvascular Endothelial Cell line (HMEC-1) were performed to gain more insights in the effect of the DSCs on HMEC-1 proliferation, migration and tube formation in an MTT assay, a transwell system and a Matrigel assay respectively. The various DSCs express pro- and anti-angiogenic factors and induce HMEC-1 migration and tube formation, but not proliferation. DSCs thus provide opportunities to treat patients with cells from their own or other individuals' teeth.