Effect of Biodentine Coated with Emdogain on Proliferation and Differentiation of Stem Cells from the Apical Papilla

Abstract Background: This study assessed the effect of Biodentine coated with Emdogain (Biodentine/Emdogain) on proliferation and differentiation of stem cells from the apical papilla (SCAP). Methods and Results: In this in vitro, experimental study, SCAP were isolated from two immature impacted third molars and cultured. After ensuring the stemness of the cells by assessing their cell surface markers, they were exposed to Biodentine, Emdogain, and Biodentine/Emdogain for 24 and 72 hours. The control cells did not receive any intervention. Cell viability was evaluated by the methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) assay. Expression of odontogenic differentiation genes was analyzed by the quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity was quantified by the respective kit. Data were analyzed by one-way ANOVA, t-test, and Mann-Whitney test (α=0.05). Cell viability did not change after 24 hours of exposure to biomaterials. At 72 hours, the viability of the cells exposed to Biodentine and Biodentine/Emdogain decreased compared with the control group. The expression of dentin sialophosphoprotein (DSPP), dentin matrix protein 1 (DMP1), and bone sialoprotein (BSP) genes, and ALP activity significantly increased in all three experimental groups, compared with the control group at both 24 and 72 hours; this increase was significantly greater in Biodentine/Emdogain group. The number of mineralized nodules significantly increased in all groups after 72 hours with a greater rate in Biodentine/Emdogain group.Conclusions: All biomaterials increased the differentiation of SCAP, expression of odontogenic genes, and ALP activity, but Biodentine/Emdogain was significantly more effective for this purpose.