BACKGROUND: Dental pulp cells (DPCs) play vital roles in the recovery of dental pulp tissue. Concentrated growth factor (CGF) can promote proliferation and mineralization of various cells. However, the functions of CGF on DPCs and dental pulp tissue are unclear. The object of our study was to identify the roles of CGF in DPCs proliferation and mineralization in vitro and to assess the effects of CGF on direct pulp capping in vivo.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: We performed CCK-8 and Transwell assay to detect proliferation and migration activity of DPCs. Alizarin Red staining was performed to examine mineralized nodules. Alkaline phosphatase activity test was used to measure the mineralization capacity of DPCs. We assessed the odontogenic differentiation gene expression level by Western blot and qPCR. The effect of CGF on direct pulp capping in vivo were evaluated by radiography and histopathology.

RESULTS: CGF increased the number of proliferative and migratory DPCs. CGF enhanced DPCs mineralized nodules and improved the gene expression levels of DSPP, DMP-1, BSP, and ALP. CGF upregulated the protein levels of ALP, BMP2, SMAD5, Runx2, and p-Smad, and the effect could be partially reversed by Noggin. CGF promoted pulp recovery and kept its vitality in directly pulp capping.

CONCLUSIONS: CGF promotes DPCs proliferation and mineralization. It regulates the mineralization of DPCs via the BMP2/SMAD5/Runx2 signaling pathway. CGF can be used as the effective graft for direct pulp capping.

Keywords: Dental Pulp, Dental Pulp Capping, Platelet-Derived Growth Factor, Tooth Remineralization, Adolescent, Calcification, Physiologic, Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins, Molar, Third, primary cell culture, Tooth, young adult