Examination and pursuit of autologous nerve transplantation using dental pulp

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We investigated whether dental pulp could be a candidate for graft in a xeno-graft model. It was obtained from the vital extracted tooth for orthodontic treatment, and then treated with freezing and thawing method for killing viable cells and for reducing antigenicity. After putting the dental pulp into chitosan tube, it was transplanted into transected sciatic nerve. Eight weeks after transplantation, regenerated nerve was obviously observed on microscopic investigation, although the mini fascicles were localized and the number of them was small. Anti-neurofilament and Anti-S-100 antibody indicated regeneration as well, suggesting that remaining Schwann cell basal laminae in the pulp acted as a scaffold. Taken together, dental pulp nerve could be a good candidate for nerve grafting in a xeno-graft model.