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Journal of Oral & Maxillofacial Research logoLink to Journal of Oral & Maxillofacial Research
. 2016 Mar 31;7(1):e4. doi: 10.5037/jomr.2016.7104

Effects of Non-Collagenous Proteins, TGF-β1, and PDGF-BB on Viability and Proliferation of Dental Pulp Stem Cells

Fahimeh Sadat Tabatabaei 1,2, Maryam Torshabi 1,2,✉
PMCID: PMC4837608  PMID: 27099698

ABSTRACT

Objectives

The dentin matrix servers as a reservoir of growth factors, sequestered during dentinogenesis. The aim of this study was to assess the viability and proliferation of dental pulp stem cells in the presence of dentin matrix-derived non-collagenous proteins and two growth factors; platelet-derived growth factor BB and transforming growth factor beta 1.

Material and Methods

The dental pulp cells were isolated and cultured. The dentin proteins were extracted and purified. The MTT assay was performed for assessment of cell viability and proliferation in the presence of different concentrations of dentin proteins and growth factors during 24 - 72 h post-treatment.

Results

The cells treated with 250 ng/mL dentin proteins had the best viability and proliferation ability in comparison with other concentrations (P < 0.05). The MTT assay demonstrated that cells cultured with 5 ng/mL platelet-derived growth factor BB had the highest viability at each time point as compared to other groups (P < 0.05). However, in presence of platelet-derived growth factor BB alone and in combination with transforming growth factor beta 1 and dentin proteins (10 ng/mL), significant higher viability was seen at all time points (P < 0.05). The least viability and proliferation at each growth factor concentration was seen in cells treated with combination of transforming growth factor beta 1 and dentin proteins at 72 h (P < 0.05).

Conclusions

The results indicated that the triple combination of growth factors and matrix-derived non-collagenous proteins (especially at 10 ng/mL concentration) has mitogenic effect on dental pulp stem cells.

Keywords: dental pulp, dentin protein (non-collagenous), platelet-derived growth factor bb, transforming growth factor beta

INTRODUCTION

Dental caries is a common disease in humans. In dentistry, defects have long been treated with durable dental materials, which all have a limited performance and eventually fail after a period of clinical service [1]. Pulp repair requires a sequence of cellular events resembling those involved in soft tissue wound healing. These events include chemotaxis, proliferation of mesenchymal cells at the site of injury and production of extracellular matrix. The mineralized reparative dentine, the ultimate evidence of pulp repair, is analogous to scar tissue formation in the connective tissues in other parts of the body [2]. In the recent years, there has been a rising recognition that healing protocols for treatment of carious lesions are possible and clinicians no longer have to merely rely on surgical removal of the diseased tissue and placement of restorative materials [3]. Today, the use of biological molecules for the development of novel restorative treatment modalities in clinical dentistry is in sight [4]. These modalities have potential applications in unexposed cavity preparations for protection of the pulp against the deleterious effects of dental materials by increasing the residual dentin thickness through reactionary dentinogenesis. Also, these approaches may have potential applications in exposed pulp cases to restore the structural integrity of dentin by the induction of reparative dentinogenesis. Such biological approaches may also have indications for use in the severely compromised dental pulps to seal the root canal in endodontic therapy [4].

The dentine matrix serves as a potential reservoir of growth factors such as platelet-derived growth factor BB (PDGF-BB), transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-β1) and other bio-active molecules, sequestered during dentinogenesis. These factors may be released by bacterial acids or dental materials during caries episodes or restorative treatments, and may contribute to dentine repair or regeneration [5]. These molecules may have a role for potential use in dental therapy as bioactive agents for dentin-pulp repair or tissue engineering purposes [6,7]. The non-collagenous matrix proteins may also serve as mediators of cell-matrix interactions, matrix maturation and mineralization [8]. Especially, the dentine matrix components released by EDTA etchants demonstrate significant morphogenetic activity and induce reparative dentinogenesis in vivo [9,10]. It is generally accepted that dentin noncollagenous proteins (DNCPs) are involved in the promotion and regulation of dentin mineralization [7]. Also, DNCPs, composed of glycoproteins, sialoproteins, phosphoroteins, proteoglycans and growth factors, can promote cell differentiation [11-17]. When a carious lesion develops, the matrix-bound bioactive molecules such as TGF-β1 family members may be released from the dentin by the activity of bacterial plaque acids, diffuse through the dentin, and induce odontoblast-like cell differentiation of potential progenitor cells in the pulp [18].

Previous experimental studies have highlighted the interactions between dentin and surrounding cells; meanwhile evidence reveals that dentin molecules might function as regulatory signals for various mesenchymal stem cells to enhance the healing of injured pulp tissues [14]. A more thorough understanding of how these signalling pathways are functionally linked can greatly help design therapeutic strategies targeting dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs) in the dentin-pulp complex. Considering the confirmed presence of direct dentin-pulp cell contact, we anticipate that concentration of different growth factors in dentin matrix may play a pivotal role in proliferation of DPSCs during the first stage of pulp repair. Therefore, this study sought to assess the effects of dentin matrix proteins, TGF-β1 and PDGF-BB on cultured DPSCs to better elucidate the process of tissue repair in teeth.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Materials

Phosphate buffered saline (PBS), Fetal bovine serum (FBS), Trypsin-EDTA and Dulbecco’s modified Eagle’s medium (DMEM) were from Gibco (Paisley, UK). The Dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO), ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA), phenylmethylsulfonyl fluoride (PMSF) and MTT and was from Sigma-Aldrich (Steinheim, Germany). Recombinant human PDGF-BB and TGF-β1 were from PeproTech (Hamburg, Germany). All tissue culture plastic-wares were obtained from SPL Lifesciences (Gyeonggi-do, South Korea). All other reagents were of analytical grade.

Isolation of dentine extracellular-matrix components

DNCPs were isolated as explained by Smith with some modifications [19,20]. The extracted human teeth were obtained from the Oral Surgery Department at the School of Dentistry (Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences) after obtaining informed patient consent. The teeth were stored in a saturated sodium chloride solution and then washed with water and air-dried. After soaking in ethanol for 20 h, the teeth were air-dried again. The root surfaces were prepared by removing the soft tissue residues using a surgical scalpel. The pulp tissues were removed using a barbed broach and a dental probe. The enamel and cementum were then removed by drilling with a high-speed diamond bur under water cooling.

The remaining dentine was crushed into a fine powder using a percussion mill (Spex 6700 Freezer/Mill, Glen Creston Ltd., UK), cooled with dry ice and filtered through a 60 mm mesh sieve (VEB Metallweberei, Germany). Dentine matrix components were extracted from the powdered dentine using 10% EDTA solution (pH of 7.2). The protease inhibitors namely 10 mM N-ethylmaleimide (NEM) and 5 mM PMSF were also added to the solution.

Extractions were performed at 4 °C for 14 days. The demineralizing solution was changed every 48 h and the EDTA-soluble fraction in the supernatant was collected after centrifugation at 3000 rpm for 10 min (4 °C, Eppendorf, USA). The combined EDTA-soluble fractions over the 14 day period were transferred to dialysis sacs (Sigma-Aldrich, Germany) and dialyzed exhaustively for 10 days against repeated changes of distilled water. The dialyzed extracts were lyophilized using a freeze dryer (Mini-Lyotrap, LTE Scientific Ltd, Oldham, UK).

Cell culture

The DPSCs were isolated from a healthy donor, cultured and expanded as previously described [21]. Briefly, the third molars intended for extraction served as the cell source. Dental pulp tissue was harvested from the sectioned teeth and cut into small pieces. It was then placed in a tissue culture flask. The explants were stored in DMEM containing 1% antibiotic-antimycotic and 10% FBS at 37 ºC in a humidified atmosphere with 5% CO2 until proliferating cells became confluent. Then, the digested cells with 0.25% trypsin were cultured at a low-cell density. The fourth passage cells were used in the experiments.

MTT assay

To evaluate the proliferation potential and viability of DPSCs treated or untreated with DNCPs, TGF-β1 and/or PDGF-BB, two phases were performed. In the first phase, different concentrations of DNCPs (25 µg/mL, 10 µg/mL, 5 µg/mL, 250 ng/mL, 10 ng/mL and 5 ng/mL) were added to DPSCs, while the control group contained only the regular medium (DMEM supplemented with 10% FBS and 1% antibiotic-antimycotic). In the second phase, the most efficient concentration of DNCPs resulted from phase one, was used to assess the behaviour of cells in presence of TGF-β1, PDGF-BB and their combination with DNCPs. The concentrations of PDGF-BB and TGF-β1 were selected based on previous studies, which indicated these to produce maximal stimulatory effect [22-24]. Ten groups were set:

  • Group 1: 5 ng/mL TGF-β1 was added to the regular medium.

  • Group 2: 5 ng/mL PDGF-BB was added to the regular medium.

  • Group 3: 250 ng/mL DNCPs + 5 ng/mL TGF-β1 was added to the regular medium.

  • Group 4: 250 ng/mL DNCPs + 5 ng/mL PDGF-BB was added to the regular medium.

  • Group 5: 250 ng/mL DNCPs + 5 ng/mL TGF-β1 + 5 ng/mL PDGF-BB was added to the regular medium.

  • Group 6: 10 ng/mL TGF-β1 was added to the regular medium.

  • Group 7: 10 ng/mL PDGF-BB was added to the regular medium.

  • Group 8: 250 ng/mL DNCPs + 10 ng/mL TGF-β1 was added to the regular medium.

  • Group 9: 250 ng/mL DNCPs + 10 ng/mL PDGF-BB was added to the regular medium.

  • Group 10: 250 ng/mL DNCPs + 10 ng/mL TGF-β1 + 10 ng/mL PDGF-BB was added to the regular medium.

The control group contained only the regular medium.

Cells were plated at a density of 5 × 103 cells/well in 96-well plates and cultured in the regular medium for 24 h. Next, they were exposed to different materials (n = 5 in each group). The MTT assay was carried out at three different time points of 24, 48 and 72 hours after exposure. Briefly, the medium containing 10% MTT dye was added into each well at the end of experiments and cells were incubated for three hours. The supernatant in each well was then decanted and the insoluble formazan was eluted with dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO). Absorbance was read at 570 nm (620 nm reference) with a microplate ELISA reader (Anthos 2020, Austria). Cell viability was calculated as the ratio of values obtained for the treated cells and for untreated controls (as 100%).

Statistical analysis

All quantitative tests were repeated three times and data were expressed as mean and standard deviation (M [SD]). For the comparison of viability, statistical significance was determined by one-way ANOVA (Tukey’s post-hoc test) (GraphPad Prism software, version 6.01). Statistical significance level was defined at P = 0.05.

RESULTS

Cell viability and proliferation in the presence of different concentration of DNCPs

As we can see in Figure 1, although there is no significant difference between different concentration of DNCPs in 24 and 48 h time intervals, the best proliferation could be seen in the presence of 250 ng/mL DNCPs in 72 h (134.5 [17.7], P < 0.05).

Figure 1.

Figure 1

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The effect of various concentration of DNCPs (5 - 2500 ng/mL) on cell viability in 3 time intervals assessed by MTT cell proliferation assay.

aStatistically significant difference at the level P < 0.05 (Tukey’s post-hoc test) compared with the control group (regular medium without DNCPs; viability 100%).

Cell viability and proliferation in the presence of DNCP, TGF-β1, PDGF-BB or combination of these factors

As seen in Figure 2A, DNCPs in presence of 5 ng/mL TGF-β1 showed a significantly higher viability (133.9 [15.4], P < 0.05) at 24 h compared to the control group (Regular medium only). However, no significant differences were noted in this regard with the control group at 48 or 72 h (P > 0.05). Although combination of 5 ng/mL TGF-β1 and 250 ng/mL DNCPs caused no significant change in cell viability compared to the control group at 24 and 48 h, it significantly decreased cell viability at 72 h (71 [11.6], P < 0.05). Also as time passed, the significant reduction (~20%) in cell viability (72 vs 24 h) indicated that cell proliferation rate decreased during 24 - 72 h post-treatment in this group.

Figure 2.

Figure 2

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The effect of TGF-β1 and PDGF-BB, and their combinations with DNCPs (250 ng/ml) on cell viability in 3 time intervals assessed by MTT cell proliferation assay.

A = 5 ng/mL; B = 10 ng/mL.

aStatistically significant difference at the level P < 0.05 (Tukey’s post-hoc test) compared with the control group (regular medium without DNCPs, TGF-β1 and PDGF-BB; viability 100%).

The MTT assay revealed that cells in presence of 5 ng/mL PDGF-BB showed a significant higher viability compared to the control group at all three time points (~20% increase). Combination of 5 ng/mL PDGF-BB and 250 ng/mL DNCPs caused no significant change in comparison with the control group at any of the three time points (P > 0.05).

Also, the combination of all three factors in the above-mentioned concentrations caused no significant change in comparison with the control group at any of the three time intervals (P > 0.05).

As seen in Figure 2B, the pulp stem cells in the presence of 10 ng/mL TGF-β1 showed a significant higher viability (123.1 [14.8], P < 0.05) at 24 h compared to the control group (regular medium only). However, no significant difference with the control group was noted at 48 or 72 h. Combination of 10 ng/mL TGF-β1 and 250 ng/mL DNCPs did not cause a significant change in this regard in comparison with the control group at 24 h; however, it significantly decreased cell viability at 48 and 72 h (87.6 [4.4] and 71 [11.6] respectively, P < 0.05). On the other hand, the significant reduction (~40%) in cell viability (72 vs 24 h) indicated that cell proliferation rate decreased during 24 - 72 h post-treatment in this group. Cell viability profile in the presence of 10 ng/mL PDGF-BB was almost similar to that in the presence of 5 ng/mL PDGF-BB; at this concentration (10 ng/mL), significant increase in cell viability was noted at all three time points compared to the control group (~120 - 140%, P < 0.05). The combination of 10 ng/mL PDGF-BB and 250 ng/mL DNCPs caused a significant increase in cell viability at 24 and 48 h (147.5 [24.8] and 120.9 [15.9] respectively, P < 0.05), although there was no significant difference compared with the control group at 72 h.

Combining all three factors in the above-mentioned concentrations caused a significant increase in cell viability compared to the control group (~114 - 136%, P < 0.05).

DISCUSSION

The progenitor cells in the dental pulp, which are capable of being induced to differentiate into odontoblast-like cells for secreting the reparative dentine and forming a dentinal bridge remain elusive [25]. Gronthos et al. [26,27] described a unique population of post-natal stem cells in the dental pulp that may be progenitors of odontoblast-like cells found at sites of dentine regeneration. On the basis of direct dentine-pulp cell contact, we used DPSCs derived from extracted human teeth to better understand tissue repair in teeth.

Reparative dentine formation is a relatively complex event requiring the initial employment of appropriate progenitor cells from the pulp tissue followed by signalling of odontoblast-like cell differentiation [28,29]. Certainly, the bioactive signalling molecules released from the dentine matrix must be in suitable rate as recent studies demonstrated that increased concentrations of TGF-β1 can cause unfavourable cellular effects including induction of apoptosis [30]. The release of matrix-associated molecules may be pivotal for modulation of bioactivity; since biological events may be modulated by the synergistic or antagonistic effects of growth factors and their interactions with the extracellular matrix [31]. The effects of TGF-β1, fibroblast growth factor 8 (FGF8), and DNCPs on different stem cells have been confirmed in previous investigations [11,13,30]. Until now, no study has compared the effects of TGF-β1, PDGF-BB, DNCPs and their combinations on cell viability and proliferation. The results of the current study showed significant synergistic or antagonistic effects of these factors on DPSCs.

Different materials are used for the purpose of extraction of dentine extracellular-matrix components such as EDTA, calcium hydroxide and white and grey MTA (Mineral trioxide aggregate) [32,33]. However, evidence indicates that the total yield of dentin matrix proteins is the greatest for EDTA [32-34]. Accordingly, we used EDTA as the extracting medium.

We hypothesized that dentin matrix may act in conjunction with other factors to promote dentinogenesis by affecting the proliferation of small populations of DPSCs. In the current study, the first step indicated that DNCPs at some concentrations had no effect on viability of DPSCs but the concentration of 250 ng/mL promoted the proliferation of these cells. Ma et al. [15] demonstrated increased proliferation of human periodontal ligament stem cells (HPDLSCs) treated with DNCPs (at a concentration of 250 ng/mL). In our study, DNCPs in concentrations of 10 and 25 µg/mL inhibited cell proliferation. Extracts of whole dentin extracellular matrix components have been shown to increase the proliferation of stem cells in vitro at relatively low concentrations; however, relatively high concentrations inhibit their proliferation [35,36].

In the second step, we confirmed the antagonistic effects of some factors (DNCP + TGF-β1) and synergistic effects of some others (DNCP + TGF-β1 + PDGF-BB). The TGF-β signalling pathway plays an important role in inhibiting proliferation while stimulating differentiation when appropriate [37]. Based on the result of our study, TGF-β1 cause graduate decrease of cell viability. Accordingly, suppressive effects of TGF-β1 on the growth of bovine and rat dental pulp cells have been shown [2]. Chan et al [38], also reported the poor proliferative capacity of pulp cells in presence of TGF-β1 (1 - 10 ng/mL). The mechanism of anti-proliferative effects of TGF-β signalling pathway is mediated via regulation of some proteins that drive the G1 phase of the cell cycle [39]. However, Fujii et al. [40] reported that TGF-β1 stimulates the growth of periodontal ligament cells. Moreover, TGF-β1 increases the cell proliferation and extracellular matrix production in culture of dental pulp tissue [41], and it`s effect can be synergistically upregulated by fibroblast growth fatocr-2 (FGF2) [42]. In the current study, we demonstrated that DNCP + TGF-β1 have greater deleterious effects on cell proliferation than TGF-β1 alone. Deng et al. [11] have shown in their study that DNCPs + TGF-β1 were capable of inducing functional differentiation of stem cells. Since, proliferation and differentiation have an inverse relationship, the synergistic effects of these two factors (DNCP + TGF-β1) in our study might have ultimately led to stem cell differentiation (time-dependent reduction in proliferation rate) rather than proliferation.

Based on our results, PDGF-BB in both concentrations had a stimulatory effect on cell proliferation. Previous experiments have shown that PDGF-BB enhances the proliferation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells in vitro [43]. Rutherford et al. [44] showed that separate addition of PDGF-BB and IGF-1 to cultured human dental pulp cells elicits a weak mitogenic response. But, the mitogenic effect of the combination of PDGF-BB and IGF-1 on cultured human dental pulp cells was found to be additive. However, in our study, the combination of PDGF-BB + DNCPs had no significant effect on cell proliferation; although the combination of all three factors (TGF-β1 + PDGF-BB + DNCPs) in 10 ng/mL concentration had a significant effect on cell proliferation.

The growth factors are costly. Moreover, several doses might be needed in order to achieve a therapeutic effect. In the current study, we demonstrated that DNCPs can increase the proliferation rate of DPSCs. These findings provide convincing evidence and useful data supporting the use of dentin matrix as a potent tool to induce tissue repair and regeneration. Besides, DNCPs are achievable in great amounts from the human third molars and premolars scheduled for extraction due to orthodontic reasons or also from the dentin of developing teeth in animals. So, in comparison with other matrix proteins available in the market, DNCPs may have an advantage in that they are easily supplied. We comprehensively characterized the effects of PDGF-BB, DNCPs and TGF-β1 on DPSC proliferation. But, the mechanism of the respective effect and the relationship of different matrix proteins should be further assessed in future studies. Future work should also address the effects of the aforementioned bioactive molecules on cell differentiation.

CONCLUSIONS

In conclusion, this study demonstrated that dentin noncollagenous proteins can efficiently stimulate the proliferation of dental pulp stem cells. The results showed that when dental pulp stem cells were treated with 10 ng/mL concentration of transforming growth factor beta 1 + platelet-derived growth factor BB + dentin noncollagenous proteins, cell viability and proliferation increased, while dentin noncollagenous proteins + transforming growth factor beta 1 inhibited cell proliferation. This suggests that the combination of transforming growth factor beta 1 + platelet-derived growth factor BB + dentin noncollagenous proteins at some concentrations serves as a mitogen for dental pulp stem cells’ proliferation.

Acknowledgments

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS AND DISCLOSURE STATEMENTS

No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

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