Comparative analysis of transcriptomes between apical pulp derived cells from deciduous teeth and permanent teeth or dental pulp cells from exfoliated deciduous teeth.

Background The present study aimed to explore the differences between apical pulp-derived cells of deciduous teeth (De-APDCs) and apical pulp-derived cells of permanent teeth (P-APDCs)/dental pulp cells from exfoliated deciduous teeth (De-DPCs). Methods Three types of cells (De-DPCs, P-APDCs and De-APDCs) were cultured by the tissue explant method. Transcriptome sequencing for the three types of cells was conducted and the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between groups were selected. The potential biological functions and pathways enriched by the DEGs were analyzed. Results There were 35 up- and 21 down-regulated DEGs in P-APDC versus the De-APDC comparison group, and 328 up- and 976 down-regulated DEGs in De-APDC versus De-DPC. The DEGs in the P-APDC versus De-APDC group were significantly enriched in biological process terms associated with extracellular matrix organization, and regulation of cell proliferation and the pathway of cell adhesion molecules. Additionally, the DEGs between De-APDC and De-DPC were involved in functions related to extracellular matrix organization and the regulation of bone remodeling, as well as the pathway of extracellular matrix-receptor interaction. Conclusions There were fewer differences between P-APDC and De-APDC compared to between De-APDC and De-DPC in view of the total number of DEGs. Differences in function existed relating to extracellular matrix organization among the three cells. P-APDCs and De-APDC had different functions on cell proliferation and adhesion. De-APDCs may also act as a unique stem cell resource for tissue engineering.