[Expression of mineral-associated markers in human dental follicle cells in vitro].
OBJECTIVE
To culture human dental follicle cells in vitro and observe their mineralization characteristics.


METHODS
Human dental follicle tissues were digested with bacterial collagenase and cultured to obtain dental follicle cells. Mineralization characteristics of these cells were identified by immunohistochemistry and reverse transcription (RT)-PCR. Dental follicle cells were incubated with mineralization-inducing agents to observe the formation of mineralized nodules.


RESULTS
Immunohistochemistry staining revealed expressions of type I collagen, type III collagen, osteopontin and osteonectin in the cytoplasm of dental follicle cells cultured in vitro. Low levels of bone sialoprotein, osteocalcin and alkaline phosphatase mRNA were also detected by RT-PCR. Mineralized nodules were observed after 20 days of incubation with mineralization-inducing agents with positivity for von-Kossa staining.


CONCLUSIONS
Human dental follicle cells cultured in vitro show some features of osteoblasts or cementoblasts and can be used as the seed cells for periodontal tissue engineering.
Wang
Zhen
Z
Department of Stomatology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China. wangzhen924@hotmail.com
Liu
Hong-wei
HW
Jin
Yan
Y
Liu
Yuan
Y
Liu
Lan-ning
LN
D002113:Calcification, Physiologic; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D025021:Cementogenesis; D024042:Collagen Type I / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D024061:Collagen Type III / Q000096:biosynthesis; D003795:Dental Sac / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D010006:Osteoblasts / Q000166:cytology*; D015676:Osteonectin / Q000096:biosynthesis; D053495:Osteopontin / Q000096:biosynthesis*
D024042:Collagen Type I; D024061:Collagen Type III; D015676:Osteonectin; D053495:Osteopontin