Identification of marker genes distinguishing human periodontal ligament cells from human mesenchymal stem cells and human gingival fibroblasts

Fujita Tsuyoshi

Iwata Tomoyuki

Shiba Hideki

Igarashi Akira

Hirata Reika

Takeda Katsuhiro

Mizuno Noriyuki

Tsuji Koichiro

Kawaguchi Hiroyuki

Kato Yukio

Kurihara Hidemi

Journal of Periodontal Research

Background and Objective: Molecular gene markers, which can distinguish human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells from human fibroblasts, have recently been reported. Messenger RNA levels of tissue factor pathway inhibitor-2, major histocompatibility complex-DR-α, major histocompatibility complex-DR-β, and neuroserpin are higher in human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells than in human fibroblasts. However, human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells express less apolipoprotein D mRNA than human fibroblasts. Periodontal ligament cells are a heterogeneous cell population including fibroblasts, mesenchymal stem cells, and progenitor cells of osteoblasts or cementoblasts. The use of molecular markers that distinguish human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells from human fibroblasts may provide insight into the characteristics of human periodontal ligament cells. In this study, we compared the molecular markers of human periodontal ligament cells with those of human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells and human gingival fibroblasts.Material and Methods: The mRNA expression of the molecular gene markers was analyzed using real-time polymerase chain reaction. Statistical differences were determined with the two-sided Mann–Whitney U-test.Results: Messenger RNA levels of major histocompatibility complex-DR-α and major histocompatibility complex-DR-β were lower and higher, respectively, in human periodontal ligament cells than in human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells or human gingival fibroblasts. Human periodontal ligament cells showed the lowest apolipoprotein D mRNA levels among the three types of cells.Conclusion: Human periodontal ligament cells may be distinguished from human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells and human gingival fibroblasts by the genes for apolipoprotein D, major histocompatibility complex-DR-α, and major histocompatibility complex-DR-β.

human periodontal ligament cells

molecular gene marker

apolipoprotein D

MHC-DR-α

MHC-DR-β

Medical sciences [ 490 ]

eng

Copyright (c) 2006 The Authors ; Journal compilation (c) 2006 Blackwell Munksgaard

[DOI] 10.1111/j.1600-0765.2006.00944.x

[DOI] http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1600-0765.2006.00944.x isVersionOf