Molecular characterization and functional analysis of simile-neural cells obtained from stem cells from immature dental pulp

• Grant number: 13/26925-0
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master
• Start date: August 01, 2014
• End date: February 29, 2016
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Genetics - Human and Medical Genetics
• Agreement: Coordination of Improvement of Higher Education Personnel (CAPES)
• Principal Investigator: Irina Kerkis
• Grantee: André Santos Costa
• Host Institution: Instituto Butantan. Secretaria da Saúde (São Paulo - Estado). São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 10/51051-6 - Adult stem cells versus induced pluripotent stem cells, AP.TEM

Abstract

In recent decades, studies involving Stem Cells (SC) have revealed the potential of them as a promising tool to treat human diseases, such as diabetes, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, cancer, metabolic disorders, autoimmune and degenerative illnesses. In this context, our group isolated from the dental pulp, a cell population similar to Mesenchymal Stem Cells (MSCs) that were nominated IDPSC - Immature Dental Pulp Stem Cells. These cells are capable to differentiate in vitro into a variety of cell types and also represent a new alternative to the development of new therapies, once it does not show the changes of MSC when cultured for long periods in vitro. The fact that the pulp tissue has mixed origin, formed by the union of mesenchymal and neural crest cells gives the ability to IDPSC to differentiate spontaneously into neuroepithelial-like cells. This characteristic is important for the future use of IDPSC when considering the obtaining of neural cells which can serve as a model study for developing new therapies for diseases which affect the nervous system. Herein, we aim to test the potential of IDPSC to differentiate into neuronal lineages. We intend to culture IDPSC under specific conditions for neural cells. After this cultivation and differentiation, neural phenotype and genotype of IDPSC will be analyzed by immunocytochemical techniques, molecular biology (RT-PCR) and western-blot tests besides functional measures for electrophysiology. (AU)