Journal of Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences (Dec 2023)
The Effect of Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) On the Differentiation of Dental Pulp-Derived Stem Cells into Pancreatic Insulin-Producing Cells
Abstract
Background and purpose: Dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs) with the ability to differentiate into different types of adult cells have provided a new vision in the treatment of various diseases. However, different challenges remain with differentiation methods to produce insulin-producing cells (IPCs). In the present study, the differentiation of dental pulp stem cells into IPCs using platelet-rich plasma (PRP) has been addressed. Materials and methods: In this experimental study for generation of IPCs, DPSCs were cultured in the first step, and then to confirm the characteristics of stem cells, the morphology of stem cells was confirmed by microscopic observation, and then the expression of CD90 and CD105 markers assessed by flow cytometry. After confirming the pluripotency of the stem cells, a 18days differentiation protocol into IPCs began. Following that, pancreatic endocrine genes such as insulin, pdx1, glut2 and glucagon were analyzed using Real-Time PCR. Insulin and C-peptide release was assessed using ELISA. To investigate the effect of platelet-rich plasma on cell viability, the MTT test was performed. Results: Results showed that the use of the above-mentioned differentiation protocol, in the differentiation group containing PRP, the cells resembled Langerhans islet clusters. The expression of pancreatic endocrine genes in the differentiation group containing PRP was significantly higher than the other groups. Additionally, in two differentiation groups with and without PRP, the cells responded differently to glucose concentrations compared to insulin and C-peptide release. Furthermore, the rate of cell proliferation in the differentiation group containing PRP was higher than the other groups. Conclusion: Based on the availability of dental pulp stem cells and PRP, the absence of invasive methods for obtaining these resources, as well as the low immunogenicity due to the use of the patient's tissues, seems to be appropriate method for producing insulin-secreting cells.
