The potential application of concentrated growth factor in regenerative endodontics

Aim To investigate the potential application of concentrated growth factor ( CGF ) to promote pulp regeneration within immature teeth. Methodology Concentrated growth factor clots produced from peripheral blood samples were investigated histologically by haematoxylin–eosin ( HE ) staining and evaluated morphologically by scanning electron microscope ( SEM ). The cytokines were extracted from the CGF , and representative cytokines were quantified by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay ( ELISA ). The biological effects of the CGF on human stem cells from the apical papilla ( SCAP s) were then investigated and quantified, including cell proliferation, cell migration, mineralized nodule formation, and the gene expression of alkaline phosphatase ( ALP ), dentine sialophosphoprotein ( DSPP ) and dentine matrix protein ( DMP )‐1. The results were analysed statistically using one‐way analysis of variance ( anova ). Results Concentrated growth factor had a complex three‐dimensional structure with a high density of platelets and nucleated cells. Representative growth factors including PDGF ‐ BB , IGF ‐1, TGF ‐β1, bFGF and VEGF were detected. The growth rate and migratory cell numbers of the CGF groups were significantly greater than those in the control groups ( P  < 0.05). The mineralization areas in the CGF groups were significantly larger than those in the control groups ( P  < 0.05). The expression levels of ALP , DSPP and DMP ‐1 were significantly up‐regulated after induction by CGF ( P  < 0.05). Conclusions Concentrated growth factor promoted the proliferation, migration and differentiation of SCAP s and could be a promising biomaterial applied in regenerative endodontics.