Cellular senescence in dental pulp stem cells.

OBJECTIVE: This short review summarizes our current knowledge about dental stem cell aging and about possible targets for the regulation of cellular senescence.

DESIGN: A literature search was performed using a combination of keywords, e.g., stem cells, replicative senescence, differentiation potential, dental pulp, dental follicle and periodontal ligament.

RESULTS: Previous studies have shown that cellular senescence occurs while the proliferation of dental stem cells. Moreover, the differentiation potential was significantly decreased in senescent stem cells and senescent cells secrete also factors that are harmful to the adjacent tissue cells. Moreover, many targets for the regulation of cellular senescence are considered; for example pathways related to the nutrient sensing such as the 5' adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) pathway.

CONCLUSIONS: The regulation of cellular senescence will play a crucial role in the clinical use of stem cells. However, there is no cell culture protocol available that prevents dental stem cell senescence. Therefore, more knowledge about molecular processes in stem cells is needed before and after the induction of senescence.