| Objectives. While Human Embryonic Stem Cells (hESCs) hold great potential as a source of cells for regenerative therapies, it is unclear how to direct these cells to oral tissues. We have derived mesenchymal progenitor cell lines (MPCs) from hESCs that differentiate into bone and fat. However, the potential of these cells to differentiate into dentin-producing cells remains unknown. Our goal was to characterize the phenotype of three, hESC-derived MPCs as a first step towards elucidating their differentiation potential into dentin-producing lineages.;Methods. Three MPC cell lines were derived from hESCs (H9-MSC, H1-MSC, and EDK) by growing cells on Type I collagen-coated plates (EDK1), or by expanding FACS-sorted, CD73+ cells (H9- and H1-MSC). Human dental pulp stem cells (hDPSCs) isolated from extracted wisdom teeth were used as controls. MPCs were compared to DPSCs using FACS analysis for surface markers including CD117, CD146, CD34, CD105, CD31, CD45, CD34 and STRO-1. STRO-1 positive cells from DPSCs, H1-MSC and H9-MSC cells were expanded for analysis.;Results. FACS analysis revealed that the cell surface markers CD-105 and CD-146 were found in DPSCs, H1-MSC and H9-MSC but not in EDK cells, which demonstrated properties of mature fibroblasts. STRO-1 was found in DPSCs and in all MPCs tested.;Conclusions. Overlapping marker expression between DPSCs and MSCs suggests existence of important similarities in their differentiation potential. Future studies will assess the potential for dentin production by hESC-derived cells to establish their utility for dental tissue regeneration in endodontics and restorative dentistry using hESC-derived mesenchymal cells. |
