Abstract

ntroduction. Dental pulp stem cells (DPSC) are very attractive in regenerative medicine. In this study we focus on the characterization of the functional properties of mesenchymal stem cells derived from human dental pulp (DPSC). Currently, it is unknown whether inflammatory conditions present in an inflamed dental pulp tissue could alter the immunomodulatory properties of DPSC. This study aimed to evaluate the immunomodulatory capacity in vitro of DPSC derived from healthy and inflamed dental pulp. Methods. DPSC from 10 healthy and inflamed dental pulp (irreversible pulpitis) were characterized according to the minimal criteria of the International Stem Cell Therapy. Cell (ISCT) proliferation, differential potential, colony formed unit (CFU). Furthermore, the immunomodulatory capacity of the DPSC was tested on the proliferation of the T lymphocytes by flow cytometry and the in vitro enzyme activity of the indoleamine 2, 3- dioxygenase (IDO). Results. There were no significant differences in the DPSC characteristics and properties such as immunophenotype, tridifferentiation, CFU, and proliferation of the DPSC derived from normal and inflamed pulp tissue. Furthermore, there were significant differences in the immunomodulatory capacity of DPSC obtained from human healthy dental pulp, and with the diagnosis of irreversible pulpitis. Conclusion. Our results demonstrated that DPSC isolated from inflamed dental pulp showed typical characteristics of MSCs and diminished immunosuppressive capacity in vitro in comparison to MSCs derived from healthy dental pulp. Further investigation in vivo is needed to clarify the mechanism of this diminished immunosuppressive capacity.