Treatment of salivary gland hypofunction by transplantation with dental pulp cells
Archives of Oral Biology
Volume 58, Issue 8 , Pages 935-942, August 2013
h in vitro.
Positive merged staining for both CD31 and GFP was observed in the
tube-like structures, representative of the injected DPECs. The average
saliva flow rate in mice treated with DPECs was significantly higher
than that observed in mice treated with PBS (P=0.0452).
Volume 58, Issue 8 , Pages 935-942, August 2013
Abstract
Objective
This study aimed to establish a mouse model in which dental pulp cells (DPCs) could be used as a cell source for the treatment of salivary gland hypofunction.Design
DPCs were isolated from green fluorescent protein (GFP)-expressing mice and were differentiated into dental pulp endothelial cells (DPECs). DPEC behaviour was studied in vitro and in vivo to investigate their capacity to participate in neovascularisation. For in vivo assessment, a combination of DPECs and Matrigel was subcutaneously injected into nude mice. Two weeks after injection, Matrigel plugs were analysed for CD31 and GFP. Furthermore, both submandibular glands of the irradiated mice were injected with DPECs. Eight weeks after irradiation, the effect of DPECs on saliva secretion was evaluated by measuring amounts of saliva secretion.Results
DPECs showed typical endothelial morphology, including a cobblestone appearance. RT-PCR analysis of DPECs showed positive expression of CD31, foetal liver kinase-1, vascular–endothelial–cadherin, vascular endothelial growth factor-A and von Willebrand factor. DPECs reorganised into tube-like structures on Matrigel after 24h in vitro.
Positive merged staining for both CD31 and GFP was observed in the
tube-like structures, representative of the injected DPECs. The average
saliva flow rate in mice treated with DPECs was significantly higher
than that observed in mice treated with PBS (P=0.0452).
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