Objectives: the current study aimed to compare between the odontogenic differentiation potential of adipose tissue stem cells (ATSCs) and dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs) in presence of odontogenic differentiation medium (ODM) and nano-hydroxy apatite crystals (NHA)
. Material and methods: Cryopreserved cell line of dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs) and adipose tissue-derived stem cells (ATDSCs) were used in the study. The cells were characterized by flow cytometric analysis. Odontogenic induction was performed by culturing the cells in odontogenic differentiation medium (ODM) and nano-hydroxy apatite crystals (NHA). Now, the cells were grouped into 2 groups: DPSCs group and ATSCs group. Each group was subdivided into 2 subgroups according to the incubation period; Subgroup a: 7 days and Subgroup b: 14 days.
Odontogenic differentiation potential of each group was evaluated by; viability test, qualitative and quantitative analysis of calcified nodules formed, and rt-PCR for odontogenic genes; dentin sialophosphoprotein (DSPP), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and dentin matrix phosphoprotein1 (DMP) Results: DPSCs Group had better odontogenic differentiation capacity than ATSCs group which was manifested by decrease its proliferation curve at 2nd week, significant increase in the odontogenic differentiation genes expression and mineralized nodules formed. Conclusion: according to the results of the present study, ATSCs displayed an odontogenic differentiation potential. but, this potential is significantly less than DPSCs in vitro.