2025 Volume No 52 – pages 1-11
Title: Magnetic cell-homing strategy for autologous dental pulp regeneration as an alternative in necrotic teeth: a proof-of-concept study |
Authors: E Astudillo-Ortiz, PS Babo, AI Gonçalves, ME Gomes |
Address: 3B’s Research Group, I3Bs–Research Institute on Biomaterials, Biodegradables and Biomimetics, University of Minho, Headquarters of the European Institute of Excellence on Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, 4805-017 Guimarães, Portugal; ICVS/3B’s-PT Government Associate Laboratory, 4805-017 Guimarães, Portugal |
E-mail: megomes at i3bs.uminho.pt |
Abstract: Background: This investigation aims to prove the concept of selective cell recruitment through the magnetic attraction of specific mesenchymal cells from the periodontal ligament for dental pulp regeneration. Methods: Human dental pulp cells (DPCs) and periodontal ligament cells (PDLCs) were investigated as enriched cluster of differentiation 90 positive (CD90+). The behavior of the CD90+ cell population was compared with that of the DPCs crude cell proliferation, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity, and osteogenic and odontogenic differentiation. Moreover, their ability to attract them to simulated root canals filled with a cell-free hyaluronic acid-based hydrogel was studied via magnetized endodontic files. Results: The immunophenotype differed across the study groups. Moreover, significant differences were observed among all the cell groups in terms of cell proliferation and osteogenic differentiation. PDLCs exhibited significantly greater values of cell proliferation than did CD90+ PDLCs, whereas in terms of osteogenic differentiation, DPCs and CD90+ PDLCs presented significantly lower values than did the other groups. In the magnetic recruitment assay, fluorescence microscopy, DNA, and ALP confirmed the attraction of a group of CD90+ cells recruited to the hydrogel. Conclusions: Overall, the present work demonstrated the similarities between DPCs and CD90+ PDLCs and the possibility of establishing a magnetic cell homing strategy, recruiting specific cells from neighboring tissues as an alternative for endodontic regeneration in cases of pulp necrosis. |
Keywords: Dental pulp regeneration, magnetic cell homing, mesenchymal stem cells, hyaluronic acid, hydrogels. |
Publication date: 23rd July 2025 |
Copyright policy: © 2025 The Author(s). Published by Forum Multimedia Publishing, LLC. This article is distributed in accordance with Creative Commons Attribution Licence (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). |
Article download: Pages 1-11 (PDF file) |
