Mesenchymal Stem Cells Acquire Characteristics of Cells in the Periodontal Ligament in vitro

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Mesenchymal Stem Cells Acquire Characteristics of Cells in the Periodontal Ligament in vitro
2004
By P.R. Kramer 1, S. Nares 2, S.F. Kramer 1, D. Grogan 1, and M. Kaiser 1
1 Department of Biomedical Sciences, Baylor College of Dentistry, Texas A&M University System Health Science Center, 3302 Gaston Ave., Dallas, TX 75246; and
2 Oral Infection and Immunity Branch, National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, Bethesda, MD 20892;
Journal of Dental Research
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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 cellsǃ٠expression 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.