title: In vitro differentiation of human tooth germ stem cells into endothelial- and epithelial-like cells.
abstract: Current clinical techniques in dental practice include stem cell and tissue engineering applications. Dental stem cells are promising primary cell source for mainly tooth tissue engineering. Interaction of mesenchymal stem cell with epithelial and endothelial cells is strictly required for an intact tooth morphogenesis. Therefore, it is important to investigate whether human tooth germ stem cells (hTGSCs) derived from wisdom tooth are suitable for endothelial and epithelial cell transformation in dental tissue regeneration approaches. Differentiation into endothelial and epithelial cell lineages were mimicked under defined conditions, confirmed by real time PCR, western blotting and immunocytochemical analysis by qualitative and quantitative methods. HUVECs and HaCaT cells were used as positive controls for the endothelial and epithelial differentiation assays, respectively. Immunocytochemical and western blotting analysis revealed that terminally differentiated cells expressed cell-lineage markers including CD31, VEGFR2, VE-Cadherin, vWF (endothelial cell markers), and cytokeratin (CK)-17, CK-19, EpCaM, vimentin (epithelial cell markers) in significant levels with respect to undifferentiated control cells. Moreover, high expression levels of VEGFR1, VEGFR2, VEGF, CK-18, and CK-19 genes were detected in differentiated endothelial and epithelial-like cells. Endothelial-like cells derived from hTGSCs were cultured on Matrigel, tube-like structure formations were followed as an indication for functional endothelial differentiation. hTGSCs successfully differentiate into various cell types with a broad range of functional abilities using an in vitro approach. These findings suggest that hTGSCs may serve a potential stem cell source for tissue engineering and cell therapy of epithelial and endothelial tissue.
authors: Department of Genetics and BioEngineering, Faculty of Engineering and Architecture, Yeditepe University, 26 Ağustos Campus, Kayisdagi cad., Kayisdagi, TR-34755, Istanbul, Turkey.
authors: Ayşegül
authors: A
authors: Doğan
authors: Selami
authors: S
authors: Demirci
authors: Fikrettin
authors: F
authors: Şahin
mesh_terms: D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm / Q000378:metabolism; D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules / Q000378:metabolism; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D042783:Endothelial Cells / Q000166:cytology* / Q000378:metabolism; D000071858:Epithelial Cell Adhesion Molecule; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000166:cytology* / Q000378:metabolism; D061307:Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D007633:Keratins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D040262:Receptors, Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D013234:Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology*; D014083:Tooth Germ / Q000166:cytology*; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D014746:Vimentin / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm; D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules; D000071858:Epithelial Cell Adhesion Molecule; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D014746:Vimentin; D007633:Keratins; D040262:Receptors, Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor
keywords: dental stem cells; differentiation; endothelial; epithelial; mesenchymal stem cells; tooth germ stem cells