In vitro proliferation and osteogenic differentiation of endometrial stem cells and dental pulp stem cells

Stem-cell-based therapies were introduced aiming to overcome the limitations of the existing procedures for regeneration of mineralized tissues. Stem cells isolated from the endometrial tissue and dental pulp have the capacity to differentiate into various functional cells including osteoblasts. However, studies comparing their ability to regenerate mineralized tissue are lacking. The purpose of this study was to compare the proliferation and osteogenic differentiation potential of endometrial stem cells (EnSCs) and dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs) using in vitro cell culture technique. The DPSCs and EnSCs were isolated from human dental pulp and endometrium, respectively. Their proliferation and osteogenic potential were compared in the same osteogenic medium (OM) after 3, 5, 7 and 10 days using the methyl thiazol tetrazolium assay, alizarin red staining, and real-time quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (Real-Time qRT-PCR). The EnSCs showed higher proliferation rate compared to DPSCs. Regarding osteogenesis, alizarin red-positive colonies appeared earlier and in greater amounts in DPSCs group. The real-time qRT-PCR demonstrated significantly greater osteogenic potential of DPSCs compared to EnSCs. Our findings revealed significant differences in stem cell properties based on the tissue source. The EnSCs had greater proliferation rate than DPSCs, while DPSCs showed greater osteogenic potential compared to EnSCs in the same OM.