Available online 13 August 2022, 104589

Dental pulp cells (DPC) possess potent immunomodulatory capacity in vitro.

The enzymatic activity of CD73 on the DPC surface is critical for the generation of adenosine (ADO) by DPC.

ADO signaling contributes to DPC-mediated immunosuppression.

The accessibility and abundance of DPC as well as their regenerative and immunomodulatory capabilities make DPC an attractive alternative to bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells, and a valuable source for cell-based immunomodulatory treatments.

The pulp of human teeth contains a population of self-renewing stem cells that can regulate the functions of immune cells. When applied to patients, these cells can protect tissues from damage by excessive inflammation. We confirm that dental pulp cells effectively inhibit the proliferation and activation of cytotoxic T cells in vitro, and show that they carry high levels of CD73, a key enzyme in the conversion of pro-inflammatory extracellular ATP to immunosuppressive adenosine. Given their accessibility and abundance, as well as their potential for allogeneic administration, dental pulp cells provide a valuable source for immunomodulatory therapy.

immunosuppression

adenosine

dental pulp cells

CD8+ T cells

Tregs

cell-based immunotherapy

CD73

adenine nucleotides

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