Assessment of Surface Markers Derived from Human Periodontal Ligament Stem Cells: An In Vitro Study

OBJECTIVES: Periodontal tissue regeneration for treatment of periodontal disease has not yet been mastered in tissue engineering. Stem cells, scaffold, and growth factors are the three main basic components of tissue engineering. Periodontal ligament (PDL) contains stem cells; however, the number, potency and features of these cells have not yet been understood. This study aimed to isolate and characterize the properties of PDL stem cells. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this experimental study, samples were isolated from the PDL of extracted teeth of five patients and then stained immunohistochemically for detection of cell surface markers. Cells were then examined by immuno-flow cytometry for mesenchymal markers as well as for osteogenic and adipogenic differentiation. RESULTS: The isolated cell population had fibroblast-like morphology and flow cytometry revealed that the mesenchymal surface markers were (means): CD90 (84.55), CD31 (39.97), CD166 (33.77), CD105 (31.19), CD45 (32/44), CD44 (462.11), CD34 (227.33), CD38 (86.94), CD13 (34.52) and CD73 (50.39). The PDL stem cells also differentiated into osteoblasts and adipocytes in osteogenic and adipogenic media, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: PDL stem cells expressed mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) markers and differentiated into osteoblasts and adipocytes in osteogenic and adipogenic media, respectively.