The Effect of White Mineral Trioxide Aggregate on Migration, Proliferation, and Odontoblastic Differentiation of Stem Cells from the Apical Papilla

Abstract

White Mineral Trioxide Aggregate (WMTA) is a biocompatible dental material with osteoinductive and osteogenic properties recommended for use in regenerative endodontic protocols. There is no evidence on the potential effect of WMTA on the migration, proliferation, and odontoblastic differentiation of Stem Cells from Apical Papilla (SCAP). Our hypothesis is that WMTA will induce migration, proliferation, and odontoblastic differentiation in SCAP cells. Methods: SCAP cell migration was assessed by transwell-migration assay at 30 minutes to 72 hours, proliferation by WST-1 assay at 1 to 14 days and odontoblastic differentiation by RNA expression of odontoblastic markers at 7, 14 and 21 days. Calcium enriched media was used to determine the role of calcium during this cellular activation. The cell population was characterized by flow cytometry. Results: WMTA significantly increased the migration of SCAP cells at 6 hours and media containing 0.3 and 0.03 mmol calcium ions significantly increased SCAP cell migration after 24 hours. WMTA significantly increased proliferation on days 1 and 5, while calcium enriched media showed a significant increase on day 7. SCAP cell proliferation was influenced strongly by the presence of both 2% and 10% FBS in the media. Odontoblastic markers were seen consistently in all samples, indicating a mixed cell population, which was confirmed by flow cytometry. Conclusions: WMTA showed a significant effect on the migration and proliferation of SCAP cells. Calcium enriched media significantly increased SCAP cell migration and proliferation. Media containing FBS significantly increased SCAP cell proliferation, even at the lower 2% concentration.