In Vitro Evaluation of Human Demineralised Teeth Matrix on Osteogenic Differentiation of Gingival Mesenchymal Stem Cells

The use of tooth-derived material as a scaffold has gained attention recently due to its ease of availability and bioactive properties. Hence, the objective of this study was to determine in vitro interaction of human gingival mesenchymal stem cells (hGMSCs) with human demineralised teeth matrix (hDTM) on osteogenic potential with or without osteogenic inducers. The hGMSCs were established and characterised on their morphology, proliferation, population doubling time (PDT), viability, colony-forming ability, expression of cell surface markers and adipogenic differentiation. Further, the effect of hDTM on the biocompatibility and osteogenic differentiation ability of hGMSCs was evaluated. The hGMSCs displayed a fibroblast-like appearance and exhibited a greater proliferative activity. The cells showed > 91% viability, and PDT varied between 39.34 hours and 62.59 hours. Further, hGMSCs indicated their propensity to form clusters/ colonies, and expressed the markers, such as CD29, CD44, CD73 and CD90, but were negative for CD34 and CD45. When treated with adipogenic induction medium, hGMSCs were able to exhibit the formation of neutral lipid vacuoles. The hGMSCs cultured with hDTM did not show any cytotoxic changes including morphology and viability. Mineralisation of calcium nodules was observed in hGMSCs when cultured in osteogenic induction (OI) medium as an indication of osteogenesis. hGMSCs when cultured with hDTM confirmed the presence of a mineralised matrix. Further, when the cells were cultured with hDTM along with OI, they showed slightly enhanced differentiation into osteocytes. In conclusion, hGMSCs were shown to be biocompatible with hDTM, and demonstrated their enhanced osteogenic potential in the presence of hDTM and osteogenic supplements.