Amniotic membrane as a biological scaffold for dental pulp stem cell transplantation in ocular surface reconstruction

ABSTRACT Purpose: To evaluate the ability of human immature dental pulp stem cells, which are mesenchymal stem cells of neural crest origin, to differentiate into the corneal epithelium for purposes of corneal transplantation and tissue engineering when cultured on de-epithelized amniotic membranes. Methods: We compared the immunophenotypes (ABCG2, K3/12, and vimentin) of cells grown on amniotic membranes or plastic surfaces under serum-free conditions or in culture media containing serum or serum replacement components. Results: Immature dental pulp stem cells grown on amniotic membranes under basal conditions are able to maintain their undifferentiated state. Our data also suggest that the culture medium used in the present work can modulate the expression of immature dental pulp stem cell markers, thus inducing epithelial differentiation of these cells in vitro. Conclusions: Our results suggest that the amniotic membrane is a good choice for the growth and transplantation of mesenchymal stem cells, particularly immature dental pulp stem cells, in clinical ocular surface reconstruction.摘要 目的：评估人未成熟牙髓干细胞（human immature dental pulp stem cells，属于神经嵴来源的间充质干细胞（mesenchymal stem cells））在去上皮羊膜（de-epithelized amniotic membranes）上培养后，向角膜上皮细胞分化的能力，以用于角膜移植与组织工程研究。 方法：本研究对比了在无血清条件、含血清或血清替代成分的培养基中，于羊膜或塑料表面培养的细胞的免疫表型（ABCG2、K3/12及波形蛋白（vimentin））。 结果：在基础培养条件下于羊膜上培养的未成熟牙髓干细胞，能够维持其未分化状态。本研究数据还表明，本研究所使用的培养基可调控未成熟牙髓干细胞标志物的表达，从而在体外诱导这些细胞发生上皮分化。 结论：本研究结果提示，羊膜是间充质干细胞（尤其未成熟牙髓干细胞）用于临床眼表重建的培养与移植的优良载体。