Peripheral-neuron-like properties of differentiated human dental pulp stem cells (hDPSCs)

In this study, we demonstrated neuronal differentiation of hDPSCs via both their expression of neuronal marker proteins and their neuronal function examined using Ca2+ imaging. Moreover, to confirm the ability of nociception, Ca2+ responses in differentiated hDPSCs were compared to those of rat dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons. Those cells showed similar responses to glutamate, ATP and agonists of transient receptor potential (TRP) channels. Since TRP channels are implicated in nociception, differentiated hDPSCs provide a usefulin vitro model of human peripheral neuron response to stimuli interpreted as pain.
Source: PLoS One - Category: Biomedical Science Authors: Source Type: research