Dental pulp stem cell responses to electric field stimulation: A pilot in vitro study with potential implications for dentin-pulp regeneration

作者：Li X, Gu Y, Zhong Q, Liu Q, Telezhkin V, Sloan AJ, Qiu L, Song B · 发表于：Journal of dentistry · 年份：2026 · DOI：10.1016/j.jdent.2026.106924 · 研究领域：Cellular behavior、Dental pulp stem cells、Dentin-pulp regeneration、Electric field stimulation、Endodontic electrical devices

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the in vitro effects of electric field (EF) stimulation on the proliferation, migration, stemness, and differentiation potential of dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs), and to explore its potential relevance to dentin-pulp regeneration. METHODS: DPSCs were exposed to EF strengths of 100, 200, or 300 mV/mm. Proliferation was assessed by Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) assay. Cell migration and electrotaxis were evaluated by scratch assay and live-cell imaging, respectively. Stemness-associated gene expression was analyzed by quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). Following EF pre-stimulation, the osteo/odontogenic, angiogenic, and neurogenic differentiation potential of DPSCs was examined using staining assays, tube formation analysis, qPCR, western blotting, and immunofluorescence staining. RESULTS: EF stimulation at 200 and 300 mV/mm increased DPSC proliferation at 72 h, whereas 100 mV/mm showed no significant effect. EF exposure transiently reduced scratch closure at 48 h. Live-cell tracking showed anodal migration, with 100 mV/mm producing the highest migration speed and efficiency. EF stimulation dynamically regulated KLF4, NANOG, OCT4, and SOX2 expression in a time-dependent manner. Moreover, EF pre-stimulation enhanced osteo/odontoblastic differentiation, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity, mineralization, and DSPP, DMP1, and OPN expression, while promoting angiogenesis through increased CD31, VEGF, and FGF2 expression and tube formation. How...