BMP-7 Enhances the Angiogenic Potential of Wharton’s Jelly Mesenchymal Stem Cells Seeded in Decellularized Human Dental Pulp

Regeneration of a pulp–dentin complex requires coordinated angiogenesis. This study investigated the angiogenic potential of Wharton’s jelly mesenchymal stem cells (WJMSCs) in decellularized human dental pulp (DHDP) treated with bone morphogenetic protein-7 (BMP-7). Decellularized human dental pulp tissues were repopulated with WJMSCs, with or without BMP-7 (50 ng/mL). Degradation rate, swelling ratio, and pore size of DHDP samples were assessed. DHDP and repopulated DHDP were evaluated through hematoxylin and eosin and 4′, 6-diamidino-2-phenylindole staining, and field-emission scanning electron microscopy. Biocompatibility of DHDP, BMP-7, and DHDP+BMP-7 on WJMSCs was assessed using the MTT assay. WJMSCs’ viability was evaluated using a resazurin-based assay on days 7, 14, and 21. Angiogenic potential was assessed by measuring vascular endothelial growth factor-A (VEGFA) gene expression via quantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction and VEGF-A protein expression via immunohistochemistry. At 21 days, DHDP exhibited a degradation rate of 40.19%, moderate swelling (77.22 ± 0.59%), and a significantly larger mean pore size (12.393 ± 0.638 µm2) than HDP (5.956 ± 0.501 µm2; p = 0.039). Histologically, DHDP exhibited complete nuclei removal, while WJMSCs were well integrated into the DHDP stroma. DHDP, BMP-7, and DHDP+BMP-7 were non-cytotoxic to WJMSCs. The DHDP+WJMSC+BMP-7 group demonstrated significantly higher cell viability at all time points compared with DHDP+WJMSC alone (p < 0.01), and VEGFA expression was significantly increased at both mRNA (p = 0.002) and protein levels. BMP-7 (50 ng/mL) can enhance WJMSC proliferation and VEGFA/VEGF-A expression within DHDP scaffolds while maintaining biocompatibility.