# A Molecular View on Biomaterials and Dental Stem Cells Interactions: Literature Review
## 4 Dental Stem Cells and Biomaterial Interactions
### Mechusensors in Dental Stem Cells
(2014) [93] studied the influence of the micropore size of a nanostructured silicon biomaterial on DPSCs adhesion through the formation of lamellipodia (dense network of actin filaments) and filopodia. They concluded that the porosity of the biomaterial promotes the formation of filopodia and increases cell migration [93]. In another study, [PERSON] et al. (2018) [94] studied the growth of DPSCs by laser ablation laser-microgrooved (8-um-sized microgrooves or microchannels) surfaces. Their results showed that DPSCs proliferated following the direction of the microgrooves, which could have significant implications for bone regeneration [94]. Additionally, [PERSON] et al. (2017) [95] reported that DPSCs proliferated faster where there was a greater density of nanotopography favoring osteogenic differentiation [95]. [PERSON] et al. (2021) [96] investigated the in vitro effects of titanium implants on PDLSC culture. The authors reported that the topography of the titanium implant surface enhances the release of ECM components in PDLSCs, which has an impact on the process of implant osseointegration [96]. Other authors, such as [PERSON] et al. (2019) [97], proposed a novel biomaterial with 4- and 8-um square prism micropillars on a poly(methyl methacrylate) surface as an alternative to enhance the osteogenesis of DPSCs. Their results showed that the interpillar spaces generated a high degree of tension in the cytoskeleton and induced differentiation toward the bone lineage [97]. These studies showed that the interaction between biomaterials and the cytoskeleton is important during the osteogenic differentiation response in DT-MSCs; however, there is still a long way to go to understand the mechanisms involved in biomaterial-DT-MSC interactions in other differentiation processes. The ECM surrounding cells exerts a mechanical influence that determines phenotype, motility, and matrix production. This allows tissues to function correctly by modulating stem cell adhesion, proliferation, migration, and differentiation [73; 75]. During their growth, stem cells secrete structural components of the extracellular matrix (collagen, elastin, laminin, fibronectin, hyaluronic acid, chondro sulfate, and syndecans) that function as mediators between the cells and the ECM. One of the strategies for the study of ECM mechanosensors in DPSCs and their physical environment is the development of scaffolds with components of the ECM. For example, [PERSON] et al. (2014) [98] generated a scaffold ECM from dental pulp to induce odontogenic differentiation in DPSCs, PDLSCs, and HMSCs as a strategy for the treatment of dental caries [98]. Another example is the work of [PERSON] et al. (2016) [99], who demonstrated that a hydrogel scaffold derived from decellularized and demineralized bovine bone (bECM) favors the odontogenic differentiation of DPSCs and could be applied for the regeneration treatment of dentin and pulp. Currently, research groups focus on the search for alternative sources of ECM substrates of human origin, such as for human cell culture, due to the limitations represented using commercial biomaterials that are derived from animal sources or cancer lines (for example, Matrigel, which is derived from mouse sarcoma) for clinical application [99]. In this context, a novel study was reported by [PERSON] et al. (2016) [100], who used decellularized matrix (DECM) from SHED stem cells and PLSCs as a substrate for ex vivo culture of DPSCs. Their results showed that DECM of dental cells enhanced DPSCs adhesion, which correlated with increased expression of vinculin, a key focal adhesion protein [100]. Another approach that has been addressed is the analysis of adhesion proteins, such as integrins. Integrins are heterodimeric receptors composed of alpha and beta subunits linked by noncovalent bonds. The combination of these subunits results in various receptors that exhibit preferential affinity for specific ECM molecules.