HUMAN DENTAL PULP STEM CELLS AS A NOVEL SOURCE FOR FUNCTIONAL NEURONAL CELLS: A BREAKTHROUGH IN NEUROREGENERATIVE MEDICINE
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.56238/arev7n11-393Keywords:
Dental Pulp Stem Cells, Neuronal Differentiation, Electrophysiological Activity, NeuroregenerationAbstract
Objective: This review aimed to synthesize current evidence on the potential of human dental pulp stem cells (hDPSCs) to differentiate into electrophysiologically active neuronal cells, emphasizing their role in neuroregeneration.
Methodology: A systematic literature search was conducted in PubMed, Web of Science, and Google Scholar using the terms “dental pulp stem cells”, “neuronal differentiation”, and “neuroregeneration”. Studies published up to 2025 were screened. After duplicate removal, titles and abstracts were analyzed for eligibility, and full-text articles were reviewed for inclusion. Studies focusing on in vitro neuronal differentiation and electrophysiological assessment of hDPSCs were retained.
Results: Evidence consistently demonstrated that hDPSCs can acquire neuronal morphology, express neuronal markers, and exhibit membrane excitability, including spontaneous action potentials and GABAergic neurotransmitter synthesis. These results support the potential of hDPSCs as a viable autologous source for neuroregenerative therapies.
Conclusion: Available evidence suggests that dental pulp stem cells can differentiate into functional neurons capable of electrophysiological activity without genetic modification. This cellular model may represent a promising approach for future treatments of neurodegenerative diseases such as Huntington’s disease and epilepsy.
Downloads
References
Arthur, A., Rychkov, G., Shi, S., Koblar, S., & Gronthos, S. (2008). Adult human dental pulp stem cells differentiate toward functionally active neurons under appropriate environmental cues. Stem Cells and Development, 17(5), 1109–1121. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1634/stemcells.2007-0979
Fang, Z., Yang, Q., Luo, W., & Wang, L. (2011). Differentiation of human dental pulp stem cells into neuron-like cells induced by nerve growth factor. Cell Biology International, 35(1), 61–66.
Gervois, P., Struys, T., Hilkens, P., Bronckaers, A., Ratajczak, J., Politis, C., ... & Lambrichts, I. (2015). Neurogenic maturation of human dental pulp stem cells following neurosphere generation induces morphological and electrophysiological characteristics of functional neurons. Stem Cells and Development, 24(3), 296–311. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1089/scd.2014.0117
Gronthos, S., Mankani, M., Brahim, J., Robey, P. G., & Shi, S. (2000). Postnatal human dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs) in vitro and in vivo. Journal of Dental Research, 79(4), 976–982.
Kiraly, M., Porcsalmy, B., Pataki, A., Kádár, K., Jelitai, M., Molnár, B., ... & Varga, G. (2009). Simultaneous PKC and cAMP activation induces neural plasticity in adult human dental pulp stem cells. Stem Cells and Development, 18(5), 693–706. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neuint.2009.03.017
Martens, W., Bronckaers, A., Politis, C., Jacobs, R., & Lambrichts, I. (2014). Dental pulp stem cells and their potential in neurological therapies. Cellular and Molecular Life Sciences, 71(15), 2667–2681.
Mead, B., Logan, A., Berry, M., Leadbeater, W., & Scheven, B. A. (2017). Paracrine-mediated neuroprotection and neuritogenesis of axotomized retinal ganglion cells by human dental pulp stem cells: Comparison with human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells. Stem Cells, 35(9), 210–220. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0109305
Nosrat, I. V., Widenfalk, J., Olson, L., & Nosrat, C. A. (2004). Dental pulp cells produce neurotrophic factors. Journal of Dental Research, 83(7), 610–615.
Piva, E., Tarlé, S. A., Nör, J. E., Zou, D., & Nör, F. (2017). Dental pulp stem cells for regenerative endodontic therapy. Frontiers in Physiology, 8, 1–14.
Sakai, K., Yamamoto, A., Matsubara, K., Nakamura, S., Naruse, M., Yamagata, M., ... & Ueda, M. (2012). Human dental pulp–derived stem cells promote locomotor recovery after complete transection of the rat spinal cord. Stem Cells, 30(6), 1214–1221. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1172/JCI59251
Yalvac, M. E., Ramazanoglu, M., Rizvanov, A. A., Sahin, F., & Palotas, A. (2010). The secretome of dental pulp stem cells: Neuroregenerative potential. Journal of Cellular Biochemistry, 111(3), 722–730.
