Exosome-Derived enhancement of dental pulp stem cell characteristics and functionality (In Vitro study)

Abstract

Dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs) are mesenchymal stem cells found in the dental pulp and are widely studied for their potential in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. Exosomes are nanosized extracellular vesicles that play a critical role in intercellular communication by delivering bioactive molecules. In this study, we hypothesize that the application of exosomes derived from DPSCs could enhance the biological properties of DPSCs, such as their viability and wound healing capabilities, which are crucial for effective tissue repair and regeneration. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of DPSC-derived exosomes on the biological characteristics of DPSCs. Dental pulp was extracted from healthy human third molars and DPSCs were isolated using the enzymatic digestion method. Exosomes were harvested from DPSC-conditioned media using ultracentrifugation method. Cell viability and cell migration assays were performed on three groups: Control, DPSCs, and DPSCs with exosome groups. Statistical analysis: One-way ANOVA followed by Tukey`s post hoc analysis was performed for statistical analysis. A p value <0.05 was considered significant. The results showed that DPSC-derived exosomes enhanced cell viability and migration, with significant improvements observed in the MTT and wound healing assays. Exosomes increased DPSC viability over time, with a marked difference on day 7 (p = 0.01). They also accelerated wound closure, achieving complete closure by day 3, significantly outperforming untreated DPSCs (p = 0.02). These results underscore the potential of exosomes to boost the regenerative properties of DPSCs. The findings demonstrate that the addition of exosomes to DPSCs promotes sustained cell viability and accelerates wound healing through enhanced migration, with the effects becoming more pronounced over time.