[Primary culture and identification of mouse odontoblast-like cells].
OBJECTIVE
To culture primary mouse odontoblast and to provide a base for study on inducing ES cells to odontoblast.


METHODS
Lower incisor germs were removed from 1-week-old mouse. The dental papillae were isolated in microscope, and the dental papillae cells were dispersed using 0.25% collagenase and 0.25% trypsin. The cell clones, which had similar morphology to odontoblasts, were selected for further culturing. The primary cultured cells were identified by light and electron microscopes and mRNA expression of mouse dentin sialophoprotein.


RESULTS
The cultured cells had the same morphology and ultrastructure. They were rich in Golgi's complex, ribosome and rough endoplasmic reticulum. These cells expressed DSPP at mRNA levels.


CONCLUSIONS
The cultured cells were mouse odontoblast-like cells. The method could be used for the study of odontal cells in vitro.
Jiang
Zhong-ming
ZM
Department of Stomatology, Changhai Hospital, Second Military Medical University. Shanghai 200433, China. jiangzhongming-s@163.com
Luo
Xiao-long
XL
Ji
Pei-hong
PH
Tang
Yue-jun
YJ