Multi-potent adult stem cells that are resident in tissues throughout the body are good target for use for repair and regeneration of lost or damaged tissues. Currently stem cells derived from bone marrow are being explored for their capacity to regenerate bone; however, obtaining these cells from patients can be fraught. Evidence suggests that cells from various tissues are multi-potent and have the ability to differentiate to form different tissues.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to assess the multi-potency of the cell types comprising the periodontal apparatus (Osteoblasts (OB); periodontal ligament (PDL); and gingival fibroblasts (HGF).

Methods: Primary cell cultures of OBs, PDLs and HGF were established from redundant tissue collected from four unrelated Caucasian patients seen at the EDI for wisdom tooth extraction. The cells were cultured in osteogenic media; adipogenic media and chondrogenic media. Osteogenesis was assessed by alizarin red and von Kossa staining; adipogenesis by oil red-o staining and chondrogenesis by histological staining. RNA was collected and used for Q-PCR analysis of osteogenic; chondrogenic and adipogenic gene markers.

Results: It was found that significant alizarin red staining and chondrogenic staining was exhibited by all cell cultures, and oil red staining was seen in OB and PDL cultures. The Q-PCR results exhibited similar patterns.

Conclusion: OBs, PDLs and HGFs all exhibited osteogenic and chondrogenic potential, but only OBs and PDLs exhibited adipogenic potential. It can be suggested that all three cell types are multi-potent and may be used in future tissue engineering strategies for the treatment of periodontal defects.

Supported by grants from the ITI Foundation, Switzerland and the CRDC, UK.

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