Dental Pulp Stem Cells, or (DPSCs) are multipotent stem cells that have the potential to differentiate into a variety of cell types.

More recently a subpopulation of dental pulp stem cells has been described as human Immature Dental Pulp Stem Cells (IDPSC).

Definition

Dental pulp is the soft living tissue inside a tooth. Stem cells are found inside the soft living tissue. Scientists have identified the Mesenchymal type of stem cell inside dental pulp. This particular type of stem cell has the future potential to differentiate into a variety of other cell types including:

• Cardio Myocytes to repair damaged cardiac tissue following a heart attack
• Neuronal to generate nerve and brain tissue
• Myocytes to repair muscle
• Osteocytes to generate bone
• Chondrocytes to generate cartilage
• Adipocytes to generate fat
• Bone and tissue from the oral cavity.

History

• 2003 NIH announces discovery of DPSCs by Dr. Songtao Shi
• 2006 IDPSC Kerkis reported discovery of Immature Dental Pulp Stem Cells (IDPSC), a pluripotent sub-population of DPSC using dental pulp organ culture.
• 2007 DPSC 1st animal studies begin for bone regeneration.
• 2007 DPSC 1st animal studies begin for dental end uses.
• 2008 DPSC 1st animal studies begin for heart therapies.
• 2008 IDPSC 1st animal study began for muscular dystrophy therapies.
• 2008 DPSC 1st animal studies begin for regenerating brain tissue.
• 2008 DPSC 1st advanced animal study for bone grafting announced. Reconstruction of large size cranial bone defects in rats.
• 2010 IDPSC 1st human trial for cornea replacement