The potential application of concentrated growth factor in regenerative endodontics

Abstract

Aim: To investigate the potential application of concentrated growth factor (CGF) to promote pulp regeneration within immature teeth.

Methodology: Concentrated growth factor clots produced from peripheral blood samples were investigated histologically by haematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining and evaluated morphologically by scanning electron microscope (SEM). The cytokines were extracted from the CGF, and representative cytokines were quantified by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The biological effects of the CGF on human stem cells from the apical papilla (SCAPs) were then investigated and quantified, including cell proliferation, cell migration, mineralized nodule formation, and the gene expression of alkaline phosphatase (ALP), dentine sialophosphoprotein (DSPP) and dentine matrix protein (DMP)-1. The results were analysed statistically using one-way analysis of variance (anova).

Results: Concentrated growth factor had a complex three-dimensional structure with a high density of platelets and nucleated cells. Representative growth factors including PDGF-BB, IGF-1, TGF-β1, bFGF and VEGF were detected. The growth rate and migratory cell numbers of the CGF groups were significantly greater than those in the control groups (P < 0.05). The mineralization areas in the CGF groups were significantly larger than those in the control groups (P < 0.05). The expression levels of ALP, DSPP and DMP-1 were significantly up-regulated after induction by CGF (P < 0.05).

Conclusions: Concentrated growth factor promoted the proliferation, migration and differentiation of SCAPs and could be a promising biomaterial applied in regenerative endodontics.

Keywords: cell homing; concentrated growth factor (CGF); immature teeth; regenerative endodontics; stem cells of apical papilla (SCAPs).