Raman microspectroscopy: toward a better distinction and profiling of different populations of dental stem cells.

Aim: To characterize stem cells originating from different dental tissues (apical papilla [SCAP], dental follicle [DFSC], and pulp [DPSC]) and test the capacity of Raman microspectroscopy to distinguish between the three dental stem cell types.

Methods: SCAP, DFSC, and DPSC cultures were generated from three immature wisdom teeth originating from three patients. Cell stemness was confirmed by inducing neuro-, osteo-, chondro-, and adipo-differentiaton and by mesenchymal marker expression analysis by flow-cytometry and real-time polymerase chain reaction. Cellular components were then evaluated by Raman microspectroscopy.

Results: We found differences between SCAP, DFSC, and DPSC Raman spectra. The ratio between proteins and nucleic acids (748/770), a parameter for discriminating more differentiated from less differentiated cells, showed significant differences between the three cell types. All cells also displayed a fingerprint region in the 600-700 cm-1 range, and characteristic lipid peaks at positions 1440 cm-1 and 1650 cm-1.

Conclusion: Although different dental stem cells exhibited similar Raman spectra, the method enabled us to make subtle distinction between them.