Characterization of dental epithelial progenitor cells derived from cervical-loop epithelium in a rat lower incisor

J Dent Res. 2004 Feb;83(2):129-33. doi: 10.1177/154405910408300209.

Abstract

Dental epithelial progenitor cells differentiate into various cell types during development of tooth germs. To study this mechanism, we produced immortalized dental epithelial progenitor cells derived from the cervical-loop epithelium of a rat lower incisor. The expression patterns of cytokeratin 14, nerve growth factor receptor p75, amelogenin, Notch2, and alkaline phosphatase were examined by immunohistochemistry in both lower and higher cell densities. The patterns of each were compared in the dental epithelium of rat lower incisors. The results demonstrated that these cells could produce ameloblast lineage cells, stratum intermedium cells, stellate reticulum, and outer enamel epithelium. Furthermore, fibroblast growth factor 10 stimulated proliferation of dental progenitor cells and subsequently increased the number of cells expressing alkaline phosphatase. These results suggest that fibroblast growth factor 10 plays a role in coupling mitogenesis of the cervical-loop cells and the production of stratum intermedium cells in rat incisors.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Alkaline Phosphatase / analysis
  • Ameloblasts / cytology
  • Amelogenin
  • Animals
  • Cell Count
  • Cell Division / drug effects
  • Cell Lineage
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Dental Enamel / cytology
  • Dental Enamel Proteins / analysis
  • Epithelial Cells / cytology
  • Fibroblast Growth Factor 10
  • Fibroblast Growth Factors / pharmacology
  • Incisor
  • Keratins / analysis
  • Mitogens / pharmacology
  • Odontogenesis
  • Rats
  • Rats, Sprague-Dawley
  • Receptor, Nerve Growth Factor / analysis
  • Receptor, Notch2
  • Receptors, Cell Surface / analysis
  • Stem Cells / cytology*
  • Tooth Cervix / embryology
  • Tooth Germ / cytology*

Substances

  • Amelogenin
  • Amelx protein, rat
  • Dental Enamel Proteins
  • Fgf10 protein, rat
  • Fibroblast Growth Factor 10
  • Mitogens
  • Notch2 protein, rat
  • Receptor, Nerve Growth Factor
  • Receptor, Notch2
  • Receptors, Cell Surface
  • Fibroblast Growth Factors
  • Keratins
  • Alkaline Phosphatase