Effect of mineral trioxide aggregate on mesenchymal stem cells

Introduction: Mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) is known to stimulate the hard tissue repair process. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the ability of MTA to support the adhesion, proliferation, and migration of human bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs). Methods: White ProRoot MTA and white Portland cement were mixed and left to set 24 hours. MSCs were cultured on the samples and observed after 24 hours by confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) by using the cytoskeleton marker CellTracker. Cell proliferation was evaluated by means of alamar blue assay in the presence and absence of differentiation medium during a period of 28 days, and cells seeded on polystyrene culture wells were the control. To assess the effect on migratory ability of hMSCs, a transwell migration assay was performed for 18 hours, positioning MTA and Portland cement in 6-well plates and the cells in 8-μm pore inserts. Results: hMSCs observed under CLSM showed attachment and spread activity on the upper surface of the MTA. Cell proliferation was significantly higher on MTA than on Portland cement. A rate proliferation increase of the MTA group compared with the control was observed after 14 days in presence of basic medium, whereas the same effect was reached after 21 days in presence of differentiation medium. Moreover, MTA was able to enhance cell migration significantly more than Portland cement. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that MTA was able to assist hMSC adhesion, growth, and migration.