title: NOTCH3 is expressed in human apical papilla and in subpopulations of stem cells isolated from the tissue.
abstract: NOTCH plays a role in regulating stem cell function and fate decision. It is involved in tooth development and injury repair. Information regarding NOTCH expression in human dental root apical papilla (AP) and its residing stem cells (SCAP) is limited. Here we investigated the expression of NOTCH3, its ligand JAG1, and mesenchymal stem cell markers CD146 and STRO-1 in the AP or in the primary cultures of SCAP isolated from AP. Our in situ immunostaining showed that in the AP NOTCH3 and CD146 were co-expressed and associated with blood vessels having NOTCH3 located more peripherally. In cultured SCAP, NOTCH3 and JAG1 were co-expressed. Flow cytometry analysis showed that 7%, 16% and 98% of the isolated SCAP were positive for NOTCH3, STRO-1 and CD146, respectively with a rare 1.5% subpopulation of SCAP co-expressing all three markers. The expression level of NOTCH3 reduced when SCAP underwent osteogenic differentiation. Our findings are the first step towards defining the regulatory role of NOTCH3 in SCAP fate decision.
authors.affiliation: Boston University, Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine, Department of Endodontics, Boston, MA 02118, USA.
authors.forename: Mohamed
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Jamal
authors.affiliation: Boston University, Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine, Department of Endodontics, Boston, MA 02118, USA.
authors.forename: Sami M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Chogle
authors.affiliation: United Arab Emirates University, Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Al-Ain, United Arab Emirates.
authors.forename: Sherif M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Karam
authors.affiliation: Boston University, Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine, Department of Endodontics, Boston, MA 02118, USA; University of Tennessee Health Science Center, College of Dentistry, Department of Bioscience Research, Memphis, TN 38163, USA.
authors.forename: George T-J
authors.initials: GT
authors.lastname: Huang
keywords: Apical papilla; CD146; JAG1; NOTCH3; Osteogenesis; SCAP; STRO-1; Stemness