Abstract
The progenitor cells of odontoblasts have been considered to be undifferentiated dental pulp cells positive for α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA). α-SMA is also expressed in vascular smooth muscle cells, which are well-known to differentiate into osteoblastlike cells. The osteogenesis is up-regulated under hyperglycemic conditions. Proliferation and differentiation of dental pulp cells are also considered to be upregulated under high-glucose conditions. The present study was designed to clarify the relation among human dental pulp cells (HDPCs), odontoblast progenitors and odontogenesis. Differentiation of HDPCs into odontoblasts was confirmed by examining ALP activity and calcified nodules as well as gene expressions of osteocalcin and dentin sialoprotein. The endothelial cell marker eNOS and mural cell markers, NG2, calponin and α-SMA, were immunostained. Both proliferation and differentiation of HDPCs were up-regulated in high-glucose media. NG2 and calponin proved to be more suit ble markers for odontoblast progenitors than α-SMA. Odontogenesis may be related to endothelial cells.
