Inverse and reciprocal regulation of p53/p21 and Bmi-1 modulates vasculogenic differentiation of dental pulp stem cells

Dental pulp stem cells (DPSC) are capable of differentiating into vascular endothelial cells. Although the capacity of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) to induce endothelial differentiation of stem cells is well established, mechanisms that maintain stemness and prevent vasculogenic differentiation remain unclear. Here, we tested the hypothesis that p53 signaling through p21 and Bmi-1 maintains stemness and inhibits vasculogenic...