Alpha-MEM (Minimal Essential Media) Affects Dental Pulp-Derived Stem Cells (DPSC)

Objectives: Many new treatments and therapies may be possible with the discovery of new mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) sources, including Dental Pulp-Derived Stem Cells (DPSC). New evidence has suggested that alpha-MEM (minimal essential media) may be sufficient to induce some changes to MSC phenotypes – although little or no information is available regarding these effects in DPSC. Based upon this paucity of evidence, the main objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of alpha-MEM on DPSC isolates tested and to assess any phenotypic or molecular changes associated with this administration.
Methods: Four DPSC isolates were selected for inclusion in this study. All were determined to be non-differentiated, rapidly growing isolates. Cells were thawed and then cultured in alpha-MEM media and their growth, proliferation, and phenotype were assessed in laboratory assays. RNA was isolated and screened using RT-PCR to determine any changes to differentiation.
Results: DPSC cultured with alpha-MEM exhibited differential phenotypes, suggested these effects may not be similar and comparable among all DPSC isolates. For example, dpsc-11750 and dpsc-5653 exhibited reduced growth (-11.6%, -13.6%, respectively), while dpsc-3921 exhibited virtually no alterations (-0.3%) and dpsc-11418 increased growth (+24.1%). Differential results were also observed in cellular morphology, which suggest these effects are non-equivalent among DPSC isolates. Similarly, mRNA analysis revealed differential changes to MSC and DPSC biomarker expression, including changes to Nestin and NANOG.
Conclusions: Although some evidence may suggest that alpha-MEM can induce MSC phenotypes in comparable and similar ways, preliminary results from this study may suggest that DPSC exhibit differential responses that may be more distinctive and idiosyncratic. These results suggest more research is needed to fully elucidate the potential changes induced by alpha-MEM on DPSC isolates, which may lead to improvements and advancements in the field of future DPSC therapy and treatments.