This review summarizes results from in vitro and in vivo studies which provide evidence that
human dental pulp stem cells (hDPSCs) might be a novel treatment strategy for nervous system
injuries and neurodegenerative diseases because of their high potential for neurogenic
differentiation and secretion of neuron-related trophic factors. It is also worth underlining that
hDPSCs are neural crest-derived cells that possess biological properties of mesenchymal stem
cells (MSCs). Induced hDPSCs have a high ability to differentiate into neuron-like cells, which
show functional activity. hDPSCs express immunomodulatory factors that enhance regeneration
and repair of nerve injury. These specific features of undifferentiated and differentiated
hDPSCs make these cells promising for the therapy of neurodegenerative diseases, such as
Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s diseases, stroke, spinal cord injury as well as peripheral nerve injury.
Recently, investigators propose that the tissue engineering technology, including scaffold, stem
cells and growth factor, should provide a new strategy for spinal cord and peripheral nerve
injury treatment. hDPSCs should be considered as a good choice for peripheral nerve injury
therapy, because they have better potential to differentiate into neural and glial cells than
stem cells coming from other sources through the expression of neuronal makers and wide
range of neurotropic factors secretion. Unique properties of hDPSCs, such as high proliferation
rate, trophic factors expression and stronger neuroprotective effects, indicate that these
stem cells may be beneficial in neural disease therapy.
Neural crest derived stem cells from dental pulp and tooth-associated stem cells for peripheral nerve regeneration
