Journal of Endodontics
Volume 34, Issue 2 , Pages 166-171, February 2008

Characterization of the Apical Papilla and Its Residing Stem Cells from Human Immature Permanent Teeth: A Pilot Study

  • Wataru Sonoyama, DDS, PhD

      Affiliations

    • Center for Craniofacial Molecular Biology, University of Southern California School of Dentistry, Los Angeles, California
    • Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Rehabilitation, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama, Japan
    • ,
  • Yi Liu, DDS, PhD

      Affiliations

    • Salivary Gland Disease Center and the Molecular Laboratory for Gene Therapy, Capital Medical University School of Stomatology, Beijing, China
    • ,
  • Takayoshi Yamaza, DDS, PhD

      Affiliations

    • Center for Craniofacial Molecular Biology, University of Southern California School of Dentistry, Los Angeles, California
    • ,
  • Rocky S. Tuan, PhD

      Affiliations

    • Cartilage Biology and Orthopaedics Branch, National Institute of Arthritis, and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland
    • ,
  • Songlin Wang, DDS, PhD

      Affiliations

    • Salivary Gland Disease Center and the Molecular Laboratory for Gene Therapy, Capital Medical University School of Stomatology, Beijing, China
    • ,
  • Songtao Shi, DDS, PhD

      Affiliations

    • Center for Craniofacial Molecular Biology, University of Southern California School of Dentistry, Los Angeles, California
    • ,
  • George T.-J. Huang, DDS, MSD, DSc

      Affiliations

    • Department of Endodontics, Prosthodontics and Operative Dentistry, University of Maryland, College of Dental Surgery, Dental School, Baltimore, Maryland.
    • Corresponding Author InformationAddress requests for reprints to Dr George T.-J. Huang, University of Maryland, College of Dental Surgery, Dental School, Department of Endodontics, Prosthodontics and Operative Dentistry, 650 West Baltimore St, Baltimore, MD 21201.

Abstract 

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have been isolated from the pulp tissue of permanent teeth (dental pulp stem cells or DPSCs) and deciduous teeth (stem cells from human exfoliated deciduous teeth). We recently discovered another type of MSCs in the apical papilla of human immature permanent teeth termed stem cells from the apical papilla (SCAP). Here, we further characterized the apical papilla tissue and stem cell properties of SCAP using histologic, immunohistochemical, and immunocytofluorescent analyses. We found that the apical papilla is distinctive to the pulp in terms of containing less cellular and vascular components than those in the pulp. Cells in the apical papilla proliferated 2- to 3-fold greater than those in the pulp in organ cultures. Both SCAP and DPSCs were as potent in osteo/dentinogenic differentiation as MSCs from bone marrows, whereas they were weaker in adipogenic potential. The immunophenotype of SCAP is similar to that of DPSCs on the osteo/dentinogenic and growth factor receptor gene profiles. Double-staining experiments showed that STRO-1 coexpressed with dentinogenic markers such as bone sialophosphoprotein, osteocalcin, and growth factors FGFR1 and TGFβRI in cultured SCAP. Additionally, SCAP express a wide variety of neurogenic markers such as nestin and neurofilament M upon stimulation with a neurogenic medium. We conclude that SCAP are similar to DPSCs but a distinct source of potent dental stem/progenitor cells. Their implications in root development and apexogenesis are discussed.

Key Words: Apexogenesis, apical papilla, bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells, dental pulp stem cells, immature teeth, immunocytofluorescence, immunohistochemistry, mesenchymal stem cells, stem cells from the apical papilla

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 Supported in part by the University of Southern California School of Dentistry, grants from the National Natural Science Foundation of China #30428009 (SW and SS) and National Institutes of Health RO1 DE17449 (SS), the NIAMS/NIH Intramural Research Program (RST), and an Endodontic Research Grant from the American Association of Endodontists Foundation (GT-JH).

PII: S0099-2399(07)01063-1

doi:10.1016/j.joen.2007.11.021

Journal of Endodontics
Volume 34, Issue 2 , Pages 166-171, February 2008

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