To assess the biocompatibility of nonionic triblock copolymer Pluronic F-127 with dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs) .

DPSCs were harvested with enzymatic digestion method. Following the preparation of 20%, 25%, 30% (w/v) Pluronic F-127, Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was utilized to observe the structure of the hydrogel, and swelling kinetics and gelling properties were examined. After the encapsulation of cells of third passage in Pluronic F-127, MTT tests were performed to asses the effect of hydrogels on the proliferation of DPSCs on the 1, 3, 5, 7^th day of incubation. On day 14, Osteogenic and chondrogenic differentiation ability of DPSCs encapsulated in the hydrogel were estimated by means of alizarin red S, toluidine blue staining, Real-time q-PCR. Data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA procedure.

DPSCs were isolated and encapsulated in the hydrogel scaffold successfully, MTT test shows that There was no significant difference of cell proliferation in the 1st day. 20% PF group (0.774 ± 0.095) enhanced cell proliferation significantly higher than other groups (A_control= 0.353 ± 0.096, A_{25% PF}= 0.559 ± 0.053, A_{30% PF}= 0.532 ± 0.093) in the 3^rd day (F= 15.993, P= 0.000) , in the 5^th day, 20% PF group (0.554 ± 0.510) also significantly enhanced cell proliferation than other groups (A_control= 0.260 ± 0.097, A_{25% PF}= 0.353 ± 0.049, A_{30% PF}= 0.212 ± 0.049; F= 20.821, P= 0.000) . Alizarin Red S and toluidine staining showed positive results. RT-qPCR shows that the relative expression of osteoblast and chondroid markers were increased compared to the control and 2D induction groups (F_OPN=65.576, P_OPN= 0.000; F_COL-2= 38.382, P_COL-2= 0.000) .

Pluronic F-127 of 20% (w/v) could be a promising cell carrier material for bone and cartilage tissue engineering.