Unveiling and initial characterization of neural crest-like cells in mesenchymal populations from the human periodontal ligament.
OBJECTIVE
To identify cells with neural crest properties in mesenchymal populations isolated from human periodontal ligament.


BACKGROUND
Evidence from tracing experiments on animal embryos revealed proof that dental tissues are among the homing sites of craniofacial neural crest migratory cells. In humans, similar migratory cells were found in early embryos, but whether these cells are progeny of oral multipotent stem cells needs to be confirmed. Searching for the cells with neural crest characteristics in periodontal ligament mesenchymal populations can lead to a solution to the problem.


METHODS
Populations from the human periodontal ligament were cultured in media supplemented with various concentrations of fetal bovine serum (FBS); assays were performed to evaluate the expression of neural crest, mesenchymal and multipotency genes.


RESULTS
In periodontal ligament populations cultured in the standard expansion medium containing minimal amounts of FBS (0.5% or 1%) or lacking FBS, growing numbers of epithelial-like cells emerged, co-expressing neural crest-specific (p75, HNK-1, SOX10), the epithelialization (E-cadherin) and mesenchymal (CD73 and CD105) markers.


CONCLUSIONS
The human periodontal ligament contains a subpopulation of dormant neural crest-like cells, which can be highlighted by culturing at FBS concentrations below 2% or in a serum-free medium.
Department of Genomic Medicine and Environmental Toxicology, Institute of Biomedical Research, Mexican National Autonomous University, Mexico City, Mexico.
L
L
Ramírez-García
Department of Genomic Medicine and Environmental Toxicology, Institute of Biomedical Research, Mexican National Autonomous University, Mexico City, Mexico.
R
R
Cevallos
Department of Genomic Medicine and Environmental Toxicology, Institute of Biomedical Research, Mexican National Autonomous University, Mexico City, Mexico.
K
K
Gazarian
D000293:Adolescent; D018959:CD57 Antigens / Q000378:metabolism; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D005260:Female; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D009432:Neural Crest / Q000166:cytology* / Q000502:physiology; D010513:Periodontal Ligament / Q000166:cytology*; D060888:Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction; D017475:Receptors, Nerve Growth Factor / Q000378:metabolism; D055815:Young Adult
D018959:CD57 Antigens; C484065:NGFR protein, human; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins; D017475:Receptors, Nerve Growth Factor
differentiation; mesenchymal stem cells; multipotent stem cells; neural crest; periodontal ligament