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.