Effect of Hepatocyte Growth Factor on Mouse Dental Papilla Cells

Objectives: to study the effect of hepatocyte growth factor on the proliferation and differentiation of Mouse Dental Papilla Cells. Methods: the 3rd generation of Mouse Dental Papilla Cell (MDPC) cultured in vitro was used as target cell. 2-200ng/ml hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) was added in the test group while the pure cell culture DMEM and 10%FCS as control. The expression of HGF and its receptor, c-met, in MDPCs was studied by RT-PCR. The effect of HGF on MDPCs proliferation was determined by growth curve and MTT, while its effect on cell differentiation was analyzed using mineralized experiment, and further confirmed with ALP, DSPP and MEPE mRNA expression. Results: 2-200ng/ml HGF showed promoting effect on the proliferation of MDPCs . 5ng/ml,10ng/ml was found to be the optimal concentration after 24h, 5ng/ml ,10ng/ml,20ng/ml was found to be the optimal concentration after 72h; RT-PCR analysis showed that both HGF and c-met were expressed in the MDPCs; the growth curve and MTT showed that HGF had positive effect on the proliferation of MDPCs; the mineralized experiment showed the HGF promoted the MDPC's capability of mineralization; the ALP ,DSPP and MEPE mRNA expression were elevated in the test group compared to the contorl group. Conclusions: Hepatocyte growth factor had positive effects on the proliferation and differentiation of Mouse Dental Papilla Cells, which might indicate its role in the tooth development.