Induced pluripotent stem cells–derived dental pulp stem cells: Future application in regenerative medicine

Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) are considered as one of the best sources of stem cells for regenerative therapy because of pluripotency and no controversies over their use. However, donor site morbidity, limited iPSCs generating capability from terminally differentiated cells, and epigenetic memory are considered the major limitations behind their successful use in regenerative therapy. Stem cells from human exfoliated deciduous teeth (SHED) or dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs) from extracted permanent teeth could help to minimize donor site morbidity and might provide additional benefits in producing iPSCs as they contain several embryonic stem cell (ESC) markers. Differentiation potential of SHED/DPSCs into several ectodermal, mesodermal, and endodermal cell types have also been acknowledged in several studies. During the process of regeneration, within the niche, extracellular matrix (ECM), stem cells, and paracrine factors play vital roles. Nerve innervation along with revascularized tissues are also very important in regenerating functional tissues. As SHED/DPSCs are generated from neural ectoderm, iPSCs generated from these cells would provide additional benefits to use them in regenerative medicine. Furthermore, generation of iPSCs from SHED/DPSCs or redifferentiation of iPSCs into DPSCs could help to minimize the supply of stem cells needed in cell-based regenerative therapy. Moreover, it could be utilized to produce tissue-specific ECM which is one of the key components of tissue regeneration. Therefore, in this book chapter, we have attempted to describe the process of iPSCs generation from SHED/DPSCs in general, use of epigenetic memory to redifferentiate these iPSCs into DPSCs, their potential personalized and/or allogenic uses in regenerative therapy including the production of ECM for tissues engineering or regeneration.