title: Osteogenic properties of human dental pulp stem cells.
abstract: Stem cells are a promising tool for bone tissue regeneration. Dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs) can be easily obtained even in human young adults. In this study we investigated the capability of DPSCs, to express the osteoblastic phenotype when cultured with osteogenic medium. DPSCs isolated from the dental pulp of impacted third molar teeth were cultured with appropriate medium to induce osteoblast differentiation. Using Western-Blot, RT-PCR and microarray analysis, we studied the expression of osteoblastic parameter, and by Von Kossa staining we evaluated the production of mineralized matrix nodules. The results were compared with controls represented by undifferentiated DPSCs. DPSCs, differentiated into osteoblast-like cells, express large amount of alkaline phosphatase (ALP), collagen I (Coll I), osteopontin (OPN) and osteocalcin (OCN), all these parameters characterizing the osteoblastic phenotype. Differentiated DPSCs express Runx2 and JunB, a member of the AP-1 complex; both the transcription factors are associated with osteoblast differentiation and skeletal morphogenesis. Moreover, DPSCs express insulin growth factor-binding protein 5 (IGFBP-5), one of the regulating proteins of IGFs function. Finally, DPSCs can form mineralized matrix nodules that are a feature exclusive to osteoblasts. DPSCs could represent a potential source of osteoblasts to be used for bone regeneration.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedical Science, University of Foggia Medical School, Foggia, Italy. g.mori@unifg.it
authors.forename: Giorgio
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Mori
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Centonze
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Brunetti
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ballini
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Oranger
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Mori
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Lo Muzio
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Tetè
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Ciccolella
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Colucci
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Grano
authors.forename: F R
authors.initials: FR
authors.lastname: Grassi
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000469:Alkaline Phosphatase / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D003094:Collagen / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D050659:Core Binding Factor Alpha 1 Subunit / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D017931:DNA Primers; D003782:Dental Pulp / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D018975:Insulin-Like Growth Factor Binding Protein 5 / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D007700:Kinetics; D010006:Osteoblasts / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology; D010012:Osteogenesis / Q000502:physiology*; D053495:Osteopontin / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D016755:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-jun / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D013234:Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D050659:Core Binding Factor Alpha 1 Subunit; D017931:DNA Primers; D018975:Insulin-Like Growth Factor Binding Protein 5; D016755:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-jun; C493709:RUNX2 protein, human; D053495:Osteopontin; D003094:Collagen; D000469:Alkaline Phosphatase