Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research ›› 2025, Vol. 29 ›› Issue (7): 1531-1540.doi: 10.12307/2024.743

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Physical factors and action mechanisms affecting osteogenic/odontogenic differentiation of dental pulp stem cells

Sun Yuting, Wu Jiayuan, Zhang Jian   

  1. School of Stomatology, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi 563000, Guizhou Province, China
  • Received:2023-09-27 Accepted:2023-12-20 Online:2025-03-08 Published:2024-06-28
  • Contact: Zhang Jian, Associate professor, Master’s supervisor, School of Stomatology, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi 563000, Guizhou Province, China
  • About author:Sun Yuting, Master candidate, School of Stomatology, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi 563000, Guizhou Province, China
  • Supported by:
    Science and Technology Fund Project of Guizhou Provincial Health Commission, No. gzwjkj2020-1-163 (to WJY); Oral Infectious and Malignant Disease Etiology and Prevention Innovation Team Project of Affiliated Stomatological Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, No. Zunyi Kehe HZ(2020)293 (to WJY); Science and Technology Program of Guizhou Province, No. ZK[2022]-Normal638 (to WJY)

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Dental pulp stem cells are one of the stem cells with great potential in oral and maxillofacial tissue engineering. Compared with mesenchymal stem cells, dental pulp stem cells have the advantages of convenient collection, less ethical problems and higher potential of proliferation and differentiation. Currently, except for biochemical factors, physical stimulation also plays a critical role in the osteogenic/odontogenic differentiation of dental pulp stem cells.
OBJECTIVE: To review the relevant physical factors and the possible signaling pathway affecting the osteogenic/odontogenic differentiation of dental pulp stem cells to find the optimal induction conditions affecting their differentiation.
METHODS: PubMed and CNKI databases were searched for relevant articles using “dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs), osteogenesis differentiation, odontoblastic differentiation, hypoxia, mechanical force, laser therapy, magnetic fields, microgravity” as English and Chinese search terms. Seventy-nine articles regarding physical factors affecting osteogenic/odontogenic differentiation of dental pulp stem cells were selected for the review.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: (1) Direct or indirect physical signals in the microenvironment have shown broad application prospects in regulating the directed differentiation of stem cells. Many related physical factors, for example, hypoxia, mechanical stimulation (dynamic hydrostatic pressure, mechanical tension, shear force, etc.), laser, microgravity, and magnetic field, have positive influences on the osteogenic/odontogenic differentiation of dental pulp stem cells. Owing to the complex mechanical environment of stomatognathic system, mechanical stimulation is a key physical factor in changing cellular environment and is also a frontier in tissue engineering. It will provide new ideas for investigating the response of dental pulp stem cells to the mechanical environment in the diagnosis and treatment of oral diseases. (2) Because this field is relatively “young”, the parameters of equipment have not been unified and the relevant results are not consistent. The optimal induction parameters and conditions of related physical factors should be further explored and optimized. (3) Scaffold material, one of the three elements of tissue engineering, plays a role in promoting the osteogenic/odontogenic differentiation of dental pulp stem cells, and promotes the development of materials science and clinical technology. (4) The signaling pathways involve Notch, Wnt, MAPK, etc. The biological basis of regulating the behavior of dental pulp stem cells is not clear. The specific mechanism will be further explored in the future to provide new ideas for dental pulp regeneration and bone tissue engineering under the influence of physical factors.

Key words: dental pulp stem cell, osteogenic differentiation, odontogenic differentiation, physical factor, mechanical factor, signaling pathway, stem cell, tissue engineering

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