Mesenchymal stem cells acquire characteristics of cells in the periodontal ligament in vitro. Academic Article uri icon

abstract

  • Mesenchymal stem cells differentiate into multiple types of cells derived from mesenchyme. Periodontal ligament cells are primarily derived from mesenchyme; thus, we expected mesenchymal stem cells to differentiate into periodontal ligament. Using a combination of immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization on co-cultures of mesenchymal stem cells and periodontal ligament, we observed a significant increase in mesenchymal stem cells' expression of osteocalcin and osteopontin and a significant decrease in expression of bone sialoprotein, characteristics of periodontal ligament in vivo. Increased osteopontin and osteocalcin and decreased bone sialoprotein expression was detected within 7 days and maintained through 21 days of co-culture. We conclude that contact or factors from periodontal ligament induced mesenchymal stem cells to obtain periodontal-ligament-like characteristics. Importantly, analysis of the data suggests the feasibility of utilizing mesenchymal stem cells in clinical applications for repairing and/or regenerating periodontal tissue.

published proceedings

  • J Dent Res

author list (cited authors)

  • Kramer, P. R., Nares, S., Kramer, S. F., Grogan, D., & Kaiser, M.

citation count

  • 54

complete list of authors

  • Kramer, PR||Nares, S||Kramer, SF||Grogan, D||Kaiser, M

publication date

  • January 2004