Basic Fibroblast Growth Factor Enhances Stemness of Human Stem Cells from the Apical Papilla

• Published in: Journal of endodontics Vol. 38; no. 5; pp. 614 - 622
• Main Authors: Wu, Jiayuan, PhD, Huang, George T.-J., DDS, MSD, DSc, He, Wenxi, PhD, Wang, Ping, PhD, Tong, Zhongchun, PhD, Jia, Qian, MS, Dong, Liping, MS, Niu, Zhongying, PhD, Ni, Longxing, PhD
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Elsevier Inc 01.05.2012
• Subjects: Adolescent; Alkaline Phosphatase - analysis; Antigens, Surface - analysis; Basic fibroblast growth factor; Cell Culture Techniques; Cell Cycle - drug effects; cell differentiation; Cell Differentiation - drug effects; cell proliferation; Cell Proliferation - drug effects; Cells, Cultured; Dental Papilla - cytology; Dental Papilla - drug effects; Dentinogenesis - drug effects; Dentistry; Endocrinology & Metabolism; Extracellular Matrix Proteins - analysis; Fibroblast Growth Factor 2 - pharmacology; Fibroblasts - drug effects; Genetic Markers; Homeodomain Proteins - analysis; Humans; Integrin-Binding Sialoprotein - analysis; Kruppel-Like Transcription Factors - analysis; Mesenchymal Stromal Cells - drug effects; Nanog Homeobox Protein; Octamer Transcription Factor-3 - analysis; osteo/dentinogenesis; Osteocalcin - analysis; Osteogenesis - drug effects; Phosphoproteins - analysis; Sialoglycoproteins - analysis; SOXB1 Transcription Factors - analysis; stem cells from the apical papilla; stemness; Tooth Apex - cytology; Tooth Apex - drug effects; Up-Regulation - drug effects; Zinc Fingers; cell differentiation; Basic fibroblast growth factor; osteo/dentinogenesis; stem cells from the apical papilla; cell proliferation; stemness
• ISSN: 0099-2399; 1878-3554
• DOI: 10.1016/j.joen.2012.01.014

Abstract Introduction Stem cells from the apical papilla (SCAP) are a type of mesenchymal stem cells found in the developing tissue, apical papilla, of immature permanent teeth. Studies have shown that SCAP are likely to be a source of primary odontoblasts that are responsible for the formation of root dentin. Basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) is a signaling molecule and pleiotropic growth factor involved in tooth root development, and it promotes proliferation of a variety of cell types. The effects of bFGF on SCAP, however, have not been examined. Methods We investigated the regulatory effects of bFGF on the proliferation and differentiation potential of human SCAP in vitro . Changes in the cell cycle and proliferation, colony-forming unit–fibroblastic formation, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity, osteogenic/dentinogenic differentiation, and stem cell gene makers of SCAP, cultured in the presence or absence of bFGF, were evaluated. Results Treatment with 5 ng/mL bFGF significantly increased SCAP proliferation and their colony-forming unit–fibroblastic formation efficiency. The growth factor also increased the expression of STRO-1 and the stem cell gene makers Nanog, Oct4, Sox2, and Rex1 in SCAP. In contrast, bFGF reduced the ALP activity, mineral nodule formation, and the expression of ALP, osteocalcin, bone sialoprotein, and dentin sialophosphoprotein. When SCAP cultures were expanded in the presence of bFGF for 1 week, subsequent stimulation of the osteogenic/dentinogenic condition resulted in enhanced differentiation. Conclusions Under certain conditions, bFGF enhances SCAP stemness by up-regulating stem cell gene expression, increasing proliferation ability, and potentiating differentiation potency.