Response of non-differentiated pulp cells (OD-21) to a novel bioceramic for dental pulp capping

Aim: To evaluate an experimental bioceramic (QCP5) effect on undifferentiated pulp cells (OD-21 cell lineage).

Methodology: Cells were divided into three groups: control (untreated cells), QCP5 (cells in indirect contact with biomimetic ceramic (QCP5), and Mineral Trioxide Aggregate (cells in indirect contact with [MTA]). Cell viability, biochemical ALP activity, fast red in situ, and mineralization were evaluated. The proteins Alp, Col1A1 and DMP1 were detected by immunofluorescence. The data were analyzed by a variance analysis with 5% significance level. 

Results: The cell viability test at 3 and 7 days was similar between the groups, but at 10 days there was a significant increase in both the MTA and the QCP5 groups. It was observed that at 3 and 10 days there was no significant difference in ALP activity, but at 7 days the expression of ALP was greater in the control group compared with QCP5 and MTA exposure groups. The fast red technique at 3 and 10 days showed no significant difference, but at 7 days it was significantly lower for the control group compared with QCP5 (P=0.0477) and MTA (P=0.0217). Mineralization was significantly higher in the control group (P=≤0.0001). ALP protein marking was similar in all three groups, Col1a1 presence was significantly decreased in the MTA group, and DMP1 was more marked in the QCP5 group. 

Conclusion: The bioceramic QCP5 promoted cell viability, expression of ALP, mineralization and expression of proteins ALP, Col1a1, and Dmp1. Similar behavior was observed with cells exposed to MTA.