AUTHOR=Zhou Lisha , Zhao Shuya , Xing Xianghui 

TITLE=Effects of different signaling pathways on odontogenic differentiation of dental pulp stem cells: a review

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Physiology

VOLUME=14

YEAR=2023

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/physiology/articles/10.3389/fphys.2023.1272764

DOI=10.3389/fphys.2023.1272764

ISSN=1664-042X

ABSTRACT=<p>Dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs) are a type of mesenchymal stem cells that can differentiate into odontoblast-like cells and protect the pulp. The differentiation of DPSCs can be influenced by biomaterials or growth factors that activate different signaling pathways <italic>in vitro</italic> or <italic>in vivo</italic>. In this review, we summarized six major pathways involved in the odontogenic differentiation of DPSCs, Wnt signaling pathways, Smad signaling pathways, MAPK signaling pathways, NF-kB signaling pathways, PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathways, and Notch signaling pathways. Various factors can influence the odontogenic differentiation of DPSCs through one or more signaling pathways. By understanding the interactions between these signaling pathways, we can expand our knowledge of the mechanisms underlying the regeneration of the pulp–dentin complex.</p>