TGF-β1 induces the proliferation, migration and differentiation of stem cells from human exfoliated deciduous teeth

Aim: This study evaluated the effect of different concentrations of transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-β1) on stem cells from human exfoliated deciduous teeth (SHED) viability, proliferation, migration and differentiation into odontoblasts. Methods: SHED was treated with different concentrations of TGF-β1 (1.0, 5.0 and 10.0 ng/mL). Sulforhodamine B and MTT assays evaluated the cell proliferation and viability at 1, 3, 5, and 7 days and Migration assay at 24h. RT-PCR verified Dentin matrix protein1 (DMP-1) and Dentin Sialophosphoprotein (DSPP) mRNA expression for 1, 7 and 14 days. The data were analyzed by one-way and two-way ANOVA, followed by Tukey test (p<0.05). Results: All tested TGF-β1 concentrations increased SHED proliferation compared with the negative control (untreated), from day 3 of treatment (p=0.000), with no loss of cell viability. Cell migration was higher in media containing TGF-β1 (1.0-10.0 ng/mL) than in negative and positive control media, with 10 or 20% Fetal Bovine Serum, respectively (p=0.000). Treatment with TGF-β1 for up to 14 days induced the expression of the odontoblast markers DMP- 1 and DSPP. DMP-1 expression was intense early after treatment with 10.0 ng/mL TGF-β1 and increased progressively from days 1-14 of treatment with 1.0 and 5.0 ng/mL TGF-β1. In contrast, DSPP expression was detected after 14 days of treatment with 10.0 ng/mL TGF-β1. Conclusion: Different concentrations of TGF-β1 on SHED promoted positive effect on proliferation and migration, with no loss of cell viability. The concentrations of 10.0 ng/mL TGF-β1 for 14 days induced the expression of the odontoblast markers DMP-1 and DSPP.