trans-differentiation of human dental pulp stem cells into cholinergic-like neurons via nerve growth factor

Introduction: cell therapy has been widely considered as a therapeutic approach for neurodegenerative diseases and nervous system damage. cholinergic neurons as one of the most important neurons that play a significant role in controlling emotions, mobility, and autonomic systems. in this study, human dental pulp stem cells (hdpscs) were differentiated into the cholinergic neurons by β-mercaptoethanol in the preinduction phase and also by the nerve growth factor (ngf) in the induction phase. methods: the hdpscs were evaluated for cd73, cd31, cd34, and oct-4. concentrationtime relationships for ngf were assessed by evaluating the viability rate of cells and the immune response to nestin, neurofilament 160, microtubule-associated protein-2, and choline acetyltransferase. results: the hdpscs had a negative response to cd34 and cd31. the optimal dose for the ngf was 50 ng/ml seven days after the induction when the highest percentage of expressing markers for the cholinergic neurons (chat) was detected. conclusion: the results of this study provided a method for producing cholinergic neurons by hdpscs, which can be used in cytotherapy for degenerative diseases of the nervous system and also spinal cord injury.