Growth Factors and Cell Homing in Dental Tissue Regeneration

• Published in: Current oral health reports Vol. 5; no. 4; pp. 276 - 285
• Main Authors: Duncan, Henry F., Kobayashi, Yoshifumi, Shimizu, Emi
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Cham Springer International Publishing 01.12.2018; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Abbreviations; Bone marrow; Brain-derived neurotrophic factor; Cell growth; Cytokines; Dental Stem Cells in Tissue Regeneration (F Setzer; Dentin; Endodontics; Epidermal growth factor; Fibroblasts; Granulocytes; Insulin; Kinases; Medicine; Medicine & Public Health; Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery; Proteins; Regulatory approval; Section Editor; Stem cells; Teeth; Tissue engineering; Topical Collection on Dental Stem Cells in Tissue Regeneration; Transplants & implants; Vascular endothelial growth factor; Functionalized scaffolds; Cell homing; Dentin-pulp complex; Dental pulp stem cell; Regenerative endodontics; Growth factors
• ISSN: 2196-3002; 2196-3002
• DOI: 10.1007/s40496-018-0194-y

Purpose of Review To summarize current views on the role and therapeutic potential of growth factors (GFs) within endodontic cell homing. Recent Findings Cell homing/revitalization techniques aim to regenerate dentin and pulp using endogenous cells. Clinically, revitalization has successfully created new vital tissue in necrotic permanent teeth with an open apex; however, there is no evidence of new odontoblasts, pulp tissue, or predictable extension in root length. Although the response is reparative rather than regenerative, exciting opportunities to improve these biologically-based strategies remain by (1) efficiently sequestering dentin-matrix-components (DMCs) using irrigants and dental materials (2) designing next-generation GF-releasing scaffold materials and (3) utilizing other sources of GF such as cells and plasma-rich plasma and plasma-rich fibrin. Summary GFs can promote reparative-dentinogenesis and pulp-like tissue formation. The future development and clinical approval of GF-functionalized-scaffolds is a priority; however, current focus should be to harness DMCs and target the interaction of stem cells and GFs.