An Original Investigation into Stem Cell Sources and Regenerative Potential for Dental Pulp Repair in Nigerian Adults

Dental pulp stem cells offer promising regenerative capacity for vital pulp therapy, and characterising the biological properties of DPSCs harvested from Nigerian adult patients provides original data for developing locally applicable regenerative endodontic protocols. This study conducted an original investigation into dental pulp stem cell isolation, characterisation, and regenerative potential from third molars extracted from healthy Nigerian adults at three dental centres in the South South and South West zones. A laboratory-based biological research design was employed. DPSCs were isolated from 30 freshly extracted third molars from healthy donors aged 18 to 35. Cell isolation was by enzymatic digestion and explant methods. Characterisation included flow cytometric surface marker analysis (CD44, CD90, CD105, CD34, CD45), differentiation potential assays for osteogenic, adipogenic, and chondrogenic lineages, growth kinetics, and colony-forming unit frequency. Results confirmed successful DPSC isolation with mesenchymal stem cell phenotype in 93.3 percent of samples. Osteogenic differentiation capacity was confirmed in all samples by alizarin red staining. Adipogenic and chondrogenic differentiation were also demonstrated. Donor age significantly affected colony-forming unit frequency, with younger donors showing higher proliferative capacity. No significant differences in biological properties were noted between South West and South South donors. Cryopreservation viability at 6 months was 87.6 percent. The study provides the first systematic characterisation of DPSCs from Nigerian donors and recommends a prospective clinical pilot of DPSC-assisted pulp capping in compatible Nigerian patients.

Keywords: dental pulp stem cells, regenerative endodontics, stem cell characterisation, Nigeria, pulp repair