Effect of nerve growth factor on the proliferation and differentiation of rabbit dental pulp stem cells in vitro

ObjectiveTo investigate the effects of nerve growth factor(NGF) on the proliferation and differentiation of rabbit dental pulp stem cells(DPSCs) in vitro, and provide a new clue for the repair of dental pulp tissue.

MethodsThe DPSCs from healthy New Zealand rabbits were isolated and cultured by tissue enzymedigestion method, and the morphology and growth changes of cells were observed under light microscope.The third passage DPSCs were divided into the blank group(only DPSCs), experimental group(DPSCs mixed with 100 g/L NGF) and control group(DPSCs mixed with mineralization solution).The cell morphology and alkaline phosphatase(ALP) activity in three groups were investigated after 7 days and 14 days of culture, and the mRNA expression levels of COL-1, Runx-2 and OCN were detected using RT-qPCR.

ResultsThe DPSCs cultured in vitro grew well, adhered to the wall, and most of them were polygonal or spindle shaped with nest or colony growth.The ALP activity value in three groups after 14 d of culture were higher than that on the 7th day of culture, and the differences of which among three groups after 7 and 14 d of culture were significant(P < 0.05).The results of RT-qPCR showed that the expression levels of COL-1, Runx-2 and OCN mRNA in experimental group after 14 d of culture were higher than those in blank group(P < 0.05).

ConclusionsThe NGF can promote the proliferation and osteogenic differentiation of rabbit DPSCs, and the combined application effect of the two is better than that of DPSCs alone.