Fig. 4

Expression levels of odontogenesis-related genes in three kinds of cells. H&E and Masson’s Trichrome staining results of subcutaneous transplantation in nude mice for 8 weeks. (A) Expression levels of odontogenic genes in ASCs/pTDM, DFCs/pTDM, and SHEDs/pTDM complexes after 0, 4, and 7 days of pTDM induction and culture in 3D conditions were determined by RT-qPCR. (B) H&E staining and (C) Masson’s Trichrome staining showed that pulp-like tissue formation, new dentin formation, and periodontal fiber-like structure formation were observed in ASCs/pTDM, DFCs/pTDM, and SHEDs/pTDM complexes. In pTDM group, only a small amount of periodontal fiber-like structure was observed on the outside. F: periodontal ligament-like fibers, ND: new dentin, ST: skin tissue; PT: pulp tissue, pTDM: treated dentin matrix, *: blood vessel, yellow arrows indicate newly formed dentin. Scale bars = 50 μm. *p < 0.05, ** p < 0.01, ***p < 0.001, ****p < 0.0001