title: Comparison of immuno-phenotypes of  stem cells from human dental pulp and periodontal ligament.
abstract: It has been established that human dental pulp and periodontal ligament contain a population of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). However, the phenotypic analysis in terms of putative stem cell markers expressed by these stem cell populations is incomplete. It is relevant to understand whether stem cells derived from closely related tissues are programmed differently. The aim of the present study is to analyze whether these stem cells depict distinct characteristics by gaining insight into differences in their immunophenotype. Dental pulp and periodontal ligament tissue samples were obtained from extracted impacted wisdom teeth. Cell cultures were analyzed for surface and intracellular markers by  indirect  immunoflourescence. Detailed immunophenotype analysis was carried  out by flow cytometry using relevant markers. The present study data shows dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs) and periodontal ligament stem cells (PDLSCs) expressed embryonic stem (ES) cell markers Oct-4, Nanog and mesodermal marker Vimentin by indirect immunoflourescence. PDLSCs, however, had a weak expression of Nanog. Immunophenotyping revealed strong expression of MSC markers (CD73, CD90) in DPSCs and PDLSCs. Differences were observed in expression of stemness-related markers. DPSCs displayed increased percentages of SSEA4, CD13 and CD166 and decreased CD9 expression compared to PDLSCs. Both stem cells express common MSC markers, different levels of expression suggests there might be more than one stem cell population existing within these tissues which differ in their embryonic status, and DPSCs are a more primitive stem cell population in comparison to PDLSCs.
authors.affiliation: Department of Periodontics, S.R.M Dental College and Hospital, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India. deepa_ponnaiyan@yahoo.co.in
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Ponnaiyan
authors.forename: K M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Bhat
authors.forename: G S
authors.initials: GS
authors.lastname: Bhat
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D015703:Antigens, CD / Q000032:analysis; D018826:CD13 Antigens / Q000032:analysis; D015816:Cell Adhesion Molecules, Neuronal / Q000032:analysis; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D003782:Dental Pulp / Q000166:cytology*; D005326:Fetal Proteins / Q000032:analysis; D019084:Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Indirect; D006801:Humans; D016130:Immunophenotyping; D059630:Mesenchymal Stem Cells / Q000276:immunology*; D010513:Periodontal Ligament / Q000166:cytology*; D060245:Tetraspanin 29 / Q000032:analysis; D055815:Young Adult; D020410:Activated-Leukocyte Cell Adhesion Molecule
chemical_list: D015703:Antigens, CD; D018826:CD13 Antigens; D015816:Cell Adhesion Molecules, Neuronal; D005326:Fetal Proteins; D060245:Tetraspanin 29; C105613:ALCAM protein, human; D020410:Activated-Leukocyte Cell Adhesion Molecule; C554869:CD9 protein, human