Cells isolated from human periapical cysts express mesenchymal stem cell-like properties

We provide a detailed description of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) isolated from human periapical cysts, which we have termed hPCy-MSCs. These cells have a fibroblast-like shape and adhere to tissue culture plastic surfaces. hPCy-MSCs possess high proliferative potential and self-renewal capacity properties. We characterised the immunophenotype of hPCy-MSCs (CD73+, CD90+, CD105+, CD13+, CD29+, CD44+, CD45-, STRO-1+, CD146+) by flow cytometry and immunofluorescence. hPCy-MSCs possess the potential to differentiate into osteoblast- and adipocyte-like cells in vitro. Multi-potentiality was evaluated with culture-specific staining and quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) analysis for osteo/odontogenic and adipogenic markers. This is the first report to indicate that human periapical cysts contain cells with MSC-like properties. Taken together, our findings indicate that human periapical cysts could be a rich source of MSCs. © Ivyspring International Publisher

Potential use of human periapical cyst-mesenchymal stem cells (hPCy-MSCs) as a novel stem cell source for regenerative medicine applications

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are attracting growing interest by the scientific community due to their huge regenerative potential. Thus, the plasticity of MSCs strongly suggests the utilization of these cells for regenerative medicine applications. The main issue about the clinical use of MSCs is related to the complex way to obtain them from healthy tissues; this topic has encouraged scientists to search for novel and more advantageous sources of these cells in easily accessible tissues. The oral cavity hosts several cell populations expressing mesenchymal stem cell like-features, furthermore, the access to oral and dental tissues is simple and isolation of cells is very efficient. Thus, oral-derived stem cells are highly attractive for clinical purposes. In this context, human periapical cyst mesenchymal stem cells (hPCy-MSCs) exhibit characteristics similar to other dental-derived MSCs, including their extensive proliferative potential, cell surface marker profile and the ability to differentiate into various cell types such as osteoblasts, adipocytes and neurons. Importantly, hPCy-MSCs are easily collected from the surgically removed periapical cysts; this reusing of biological waste guarantees a smart source of stem cells without any impact on the surrounding healthy tissues. In this review, we report the most interesting research topics related to hPCy-MSCs with a newsworthy discussion about the future insights. This newly discovered cell population exhibits interesting and valuable potentialities that could be of high impact in the future regenerative medicine applications

T-Cell Leukemia/Lymphoma 1 (TCL1): An Oncogene Regulating Multiple Signaling Pathways

Almost 30 years ago, Carlo Croce's group discovered the T-Cell Leukemia/Lymphoma 1A oncogene (TCL1A or TCL1). TCL1 protein is normally expressed in fetal tissues and early developmental stage lymphocytes. Its expression is deregulated in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (B-CLL) and most lymphomas. TCL1 plays a central role in lymphomagenesis as a co-activator of AKT kinases and other recently elucidated interacting protein partners. These include ATM, HSP70 and TP63, which were all confirmed as binding partners of TCL1 from co-immunoprecipitation experiments utilizing endogenously expressed proteins. The nature of these interactions highlighted the role of TCL1 in enhancing multiple signaling pathways, including PI3K and NF-κB. Based on its role in the aforementioned pathways and, despite the lack of a well-defined enzymatic activity, TCL1 is considered a potential therapeutic target for TCL1-positive hematological malignancies. This perspective will provide an overview of TCL1A and its interacting partners

Mooring System Design and Analysis for a Floating Offshore Wind Turbine in Pantelleria

The mooring system plays a key role in a floating offshore wind turbine: it connects the floating structure to its anchor on the seabed and it is designed to prevent the platform from drifting under the action of wind, waves and currents. The layout of the mooring system is strictly connected to the installation site: in the first place it depends on the bathymetry and the type of seabed which conditions the type of anchor that can be used; secondly by the wind and waves loads in extreme sea states. To properly design the mooring system, three different configurations are proposed and discussed, respectively adapting catenary, taut leg and semi-taut methodologies for a floating offshore wind turbine located near the island of Pantelleria, in Sicily. For each configuration, the Hexafloat foundation, developed by Saipem, is considered. Important design constraints such as how large the nominal sizes are, how long the mooring lines are, how far the anchor points are located, are demonstrated in detail. The material used will range from steel chains and wires to polyester ropes, to grant economically viable solutions

Highly Efficient in Vitro Reparative Behaviour of Dental Pulp Stem Cells Cultured with Standardised Platelet Lysate Supplementation

Dental pulp is an accessible source of multipotent mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs). The perspective role of dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs) in regenerative medicine demands an in vitro expansion and in vivo delivery which must deal with the safety issues about animal serum, usually required in cell culture practice. Human platelet lysate (PL) contains autologous growth factors and has been considered as valuable alternative to fetal bovine serum (FBS) in cell cultures. The optimum concentration to be added of such supplement is highly dependent on its preparation whose variability limits comparability of results. By in vitro experiments, we aimed to evaluate a standardised formulation of pooled PL. A low selected concentration of PL (1%) was able to support the growth and maintain the viability of the DPSCs. The use of PL in cell cultures did not impair cell surface signature typically expressed by MSCs and even upregulated the transcription of Sox2. Interestingly, DPSCs cultured in presence of PL exhibited a higher healing rate after injury and are less susceptible to toxicity mediated by exogenous H2O2 than those cultured with FBS. Moreover, PL addition was shown as a suitable option for protocols promoting osteogenic and chondrogenic differentiation of DPSCs. Taken together, our results indicated that PL is a valid substitute of FBS to culture and differentiate DPSCs for clinical-grade use

Human Periapical Cysts-Mesenchymal Stem Cells Cultured with Allogenic Human Serum are a "clinical-grade" construct alternative to bovine fetal serum and indicated in the regeneration of endo-periodontal tissues

Aim: Our research investigated the use of human serum (HS) as a safe and clinical-grade culture medium, using a new cell-model: hPCy-MSCs. This article is aimed to concretely applicate the concept of "waste-based regenerative dentistry" to translate it in future endo-periodontal applications. Methodology: HPCy-MSCs were cultured in 2 different mediums, both containing α-MEM: the 1st with 10% FBS (Control group), and the 2nd with 10% human serum (Test group).Cell proliferation and stemness assays, gene expression, immunophenotypic analysis and osteogenic differentiation were performed to verify our hypothesis. cDNA samples were amplified with qPCR.Experiments were performed in triplicate and analysed with statistical software. Results: The hPCy-MSCs cultivated in a medium with HS were morphologically similar to those cultivated with FBS, and showed a significantly higher proliferation rate. Von Kossa's staining revealed that osteoblasts from hPCy-MSCs in HS implemented with osteogenic induction factors, showed a better osteogenic activity, also confirmed by a significant upregulation of osteopotin (OPN) and matrix extracellular phosphoglycoprotein (MEPE). Conclusions: HPCy-MSCs cultivated in HS showed phenotypic stability and a clear regenerative binding, thus, suggesting these two components as a clinically-grade construct for future endo-periodontal therapies. Riassunto: Obiettivi: La nostra ricerca ha analizzato l'utilizzo del siero umano (HS) come mezzo di coltura sicuro e "clinical-grade", per uso clinico, utilizzando un nuovo modello cellulare: le hPC-MSCs. Questo articolo ha lo scopo di applicare concretamente il concetto di "odontoiatria rigenerativa basata sui rifiuti biologici", al fine di tradurlo in future applicazioni endo-periodontali. Materiali e metodi: Le HPCy-MSCs sono state coltivate in 2 mezzi di coltura diversi, entrambi contenenti α-MEM: il primo con 10% di FBS (gruppo di controllo) e il secondo con il 10% di siero umano (gruppo di test).Sono stati eseguiti saggi di proliferazione cellulare e di staminalità, espressione genica, analisi immunofenotipica e differenziamento osteogenico per verificare la nostra ipotesi di partenza. Campioni di cDNA sono stati amplificati con qPCR.Gli esperimenti sono stati eseguiti in triplicato e analizzati con software statistici. Risultati: Le hPC-MSC coltivate in un terreno con HS erano morfologicamente simili a quelle coltivate con FBS e mostravano un tasso di proliferazione significativamente più alto. La colorazione di Von Kossa ha rivelato che gli osteoblasti da hPC-MSC coltivate in HS implementato con fattori di induzione osteogenica hanno mostrato una migliore attività osteogenica, confermata anche da una significativa up-regolazione di osteopotina (OPN) e fosfoglicoproteina della matrice extracellulare (MEPE). Conclusioni: Le HPCy-MSC coltivate in HS hanno mostrato stabilità fenotipica e un chiaro atteggiamento rigenerativo, suggerendo quindi questo protocollo come un approccio clinicamente valido per le future terapie endo-periodontali. Keywords: Regenerative medicine, Stem cells, Osteogenesis, Human periapical cyst-MSCs, Translational research, Parole chiave: Medicina rigenerativa, Cellule staminali, Osteogenesi, Human periapical cyst-MSCs, Ricerca traslazional

Crosstalk between oral and general health status in e-smokers

Electronic cigarette (e-cigarette) simulates the act of tobacco smoking by vaporizing a mixture of propylene glycol, nicotine, and flavoring agents. e-cigarette has been proposed as a product able to aid to stop smoking. The aim of the study is to verify the clinical variations of periodontal health induced by e-cigarettes use and, moreover, to investigate about the awareness of the e-smokers about their health variations and about their hypothetical need to turn back to smoke combustible cigarettes.This clinical observational pilot study involved 110 out of 350 smokers, who switched to e-cigarette. Patients were subjected to oral examinations. A questionnaire to self-assess the variations of some parameters of general health, and to self-assess the need to smoke combustible cigarettes, was distributed to such subjects involved in the study.At the end of the study, we registered a progressive improvement in the periodontal indexes, as well as in the general health perception. Finally, many patients reported an interesting reduction in the need to smoke.In the light of this pilot study, the e-cigarette can be considered as a valuable alternative to tobacco cigarettes, but with a positive impact on periodontal and general health status

Cyst-like periapical lesion healing in an orthodontic patient: A case report with five-year follow-up

Abstract Aim To report the orthodontic movement of two central incisors through the healing site of a maxillary cyst-like lesion of endodontic origin after nonsurgical treatment. Case summary This report shows the treatment of a 18-year old patient, male, with a Class II division 2 malocclusion. He came to our attention seeking for orthodontic treatment. Radiographic examinations revealed a large cyst-like lesion in the maxillary anterior area, extending from the mesial surface of tooth 12 to the distal surface of tooth 21. The two upper incisors were nonresponsive to pulp sensitivity tests. Endodontic treatment was performed first. One week after root canal treatment had been completed with gutta-percha fillings, orthodontic treatment was started while the bone lesion healing was still underway. At the end of the orthodontic treatment, incisor retroclination was corrected, periapical lesion healing was completed and there were no signs of root resorption. The five-year follow-up revealed that occlusal relationship and dental alignment were kept stable and excellent radiographic resolution of the periapical lesion was obtained

Correction of multiple canine impactions by mixed straightwire and cantilever mechanics: a case report.

Background. This case report describes the orthodontic treatment of a woman, aged 17 years, with a permanent dentition, brachyfacial typology, Angle Class I, with full impaction of two canines (13,33), and a severe ectopy of the maxillary left canine. Her main compliant was the position of the ectopic teeth. Methods. Straightwire fixed appliances, together with cantilever mechanics, were used to correct the impaired occlusion and to obtain an ideal torque control. Results and Conclusion. The treatment objectives were achieved in 26 months of treatment. The impactions were fully corrected with an optimal torque. The cantilever mechanics succeeded in obtaining tooth repositioning in a short lapse of time. After treatment, the dental alignment was stable