Characterization of p75 neurotrophin receptor expression in human dental pulp stem cells

Int J Dev Neurosci. 2016 Oct:53:90-98. doi: 10.1016/j.ijdevneu.2016.07.007. Epub 2016 Jul 26.

Abstract

Human adult dental pulp stem cells (DPSC) are a heterogeneous stem cell population, which are able to differentiate down neural, chondrocyte, osteocyte and adipocyte lineages. We studied the expression pattern of p75 neurotrophin receptors (p75NTR), a marker of neural stem cells, within human DPSC populations from eight donors. p75NTR are expressed at low levels (<10%) in DPSC. Importantly, p75(+) DPSC represent higher expression levels of SOX1 (neural precursor cell marker), SOX2 (cell pluripotency marker) and nestin (neural stem cell marker) in comparison to p75(-) DPSC. Our results suggest that p75(+) hDPSC may denote a subpopulation with greater neurogenic potential.

Keywords: Dental pulp stem cells; Neural crest stem cells; SOX2; SOX9; p75 Neurotrophin receptor.

MeSH terms

  • Cell Differentiation / physiology
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Dental Pulp / cytology*
  • Flow Cytometry
  • Humans
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins / metabolism*
  • Receptors, Nerve Growth Factor / metabolism*
  • SOXB1 Transcription Factors / metabolism
  • Stem Cells / metabolism*

Substances

  • NGFR protein, human
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins
  • Receptors, Nerve Growth Factor
  • SOX1 protein, human
  • SOX2 protein, human
  • SOXB1 Transcription Factors