title: Neurogenic differentiation of human dental stem cells in vitro.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study was to investigate the neurogenic differentiation of human dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs), periodontal ligament stem cells (PDLSCs), and stem cells from apical papilla (SCAP).
  
  
  METHODS
  After induction of neurogenic differentiation using commercial differentiation medium, expression levels of neural markers, microtubule-associated protein 2 (MAP2), class III β-tubulin, and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) were identified using reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (PCR), real-time PCR, and immunocytochemistry.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The induced cells showed neuron-like morphologies, similar to axons, dendrites, and perikaryons, which are composed of neurons in DPSCs, PDLSCs, and SCAP. The mRNA levels of neuronal markers tended to increase in differentiated cells. The expression of MAP2 and β-tubulin III also increased at the protein level in differentiation groups, even though GFAP was not detected via immunocytochemistry.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Human dental stem cells including DPSCs, PDLSCs, and SCAP may have neurogenic differentiation capability in vitro. The presented data support the use of human dental stem cells as a possible alternative source of stem cells for therapeutic utility in the treatment of neurological diseases.
authors.affiliation: Biotooth Engineering Lab, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery and Craniomaxillofacial Life Science, Dental Research Institute, School of Dentistry, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Joo-Hee
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Biotooth Engineering Lab, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery and Craniomaxillofacial Life Science, Dental Research Institute, School of Dentistry, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea. ; Dental Regenerative Biotechnology, Department of Dental Science, School of Dentistry, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Soyoun
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Um
authors.affiliation: Biotooth Engineering Lab, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery and Craniomaxillofacial Life Science, Dental Research Institute, School of Dentistry, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea. ; Division of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Department of Dentistry, Korea University Anam Hospital, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: In-Seok
authors.initials: IS
authors.lastname: Song
authors.affiliation: Biotooth Engineering Lab, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery and Craniomaxillofacial Life Science, Dental Research Institute, School of Dentistry, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Hui Young
authors.initials: HY
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Biotooth Engineering Lab, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery and Craniomaxillofacial Life Science, Dental Research Institute, School of Dentistry, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Byoung Moo
authors.initials: BM
authors.lastname: Seo
keywords: Dental papilla; Dental pulp; Neurogenic differentiation; Periodontal ligament; Stem cells