A team of researchers from China have assessed the potential applications of dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs) and their derivatives in the field of nerve regeneration.

Peripheral nerve injury (PNI) seriously affects people’s quality of life. Stem cell therapy is considered a promising new option for the clinical treatment of PNI. 

Dental stem cells, particularly dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs), are adult pluripotent stem cells derived from the neuroectoderm. These have significant potential in the field of neural tissue engineering due to their numerous advantages, such as easy isolation, multi-differentiation potential, low immunogenicity, and low transplant rejection rate. DPSCs are extensively used in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine, including for the treatment of sciatic nerve injury, facial nerve injury, spinal cord injury, and other neurodegenerative diseases.

An article published in the World Journal of Stem Cells by researchers in Wuhan reviews the potential applications of DPSCs and their derivatives in the field of nerve regeneration.

First, the paper describes the current status of stem cell therapies for PNI and discusses the advantages of DPSCs in this field. Then, it reviews the status of research on the neuroregenerative ability of DPSCs and their derivatives. Finally, the research summarises the potential of DPSCs in treating PNI and the underlying mechanism, with an aim to provide valuable guidance and a basis for future research.