Stem Cell Research & Therapy (Aug 2021)

CD146 controls the quality of clinical grade mesenchymal stem cells from human dental pulp

  • Lan Ma,
  • Zhiqing Huang,
  • Di Wu,
  • Xiaoxing Kou,
  • Xueli Mao,
  • Songtao Shi

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s13287-021-02559-4
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 12, no. 1
pp. 1 – 16

Abstract

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Abstract Background Human mesenchymal stem cells from dental pulp (hMSC-DP), including dental pulp stem cells from permanent teeth and exfoliated deciduous teeth, possess unique MSC characteristics such as expression of specific surface molecules and a high proliferation rate. Since hMSC-DP have been applied in numerous clinical studies, it is necessary to establish criteria to evaluate their potency for cell-based therapies. Methods We compared stem cell properties of hMSC-DP at passages 5, 10 and 20 under serum (SE) and serum-free (SF) culture conditions. Cell morphology, proliferation capacity, chromosomal stability, surface phenotypic profiles, differentiation and immunoregulation ability were evaluated. In addition, we assessed surface molecule that regulates hMSC-DP proliferation and immunomodulation. Results hMSC-DP exhibited a decrease in proliferation rate and differentiation potential, as well as a reduced expression of CD146 when cultured under continuous passage conditions. SF culture conditions failed to alter surface marker expression, chromosome stability or proliferation rate when compared to SE culture. SF-cultured hMSC-DP were able to differentiate into osteogenic, adipogenic and neural cells, and displayed the capacity to regulate immune responses. Notably, the expression level of CD146 showed a positive correlation with proliferation, differentiation, and immunomodulation, suggesting that CD146 can serve as a surface molecule to evaluate the potency of hMSC-DP. Mechanistically, we found that CD146 regulates proliferation and immunomodulation of hMSC-DP through the ERK/p-ERK pathway. Conclusion This study indicates that SF-cultured hMSC-DP are appropriate for producing clinical-grade cells. CD146 is a functional surface molecule to assess the potency of hMSC-DP.

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