Location-dependent characteristics of dental pulp cells from porcine developing teeth

Objectives: This study investigated the characteristics of 2 populations of dental pulp cells during early stage of crown formation in porcine developing teeth. We developed a 2-tissues-combination transplantation model to mimic epithelial-mesenchymal interactions of odontogenesis.

Methods: Populations of cells localized in the cervical loop epithelium region, dental pulp horn, and dental pulp core chambers were isolated and dissociated into single cells. Each population was examined for its gene expression pattern by semiquantitative RT-PCR and for its tissue-formation capability by combining the cervical loop epithelial cells (CLC) with either pulp horn cells (PHC) or pulp core cells (PCC) on collagen sponge scaffolds that were subsequently examined by histology and immunohistology.

Results: Gene expression patterns showed that PHC were more mature than PCC. CLC combined with PHC mainly reconstituted dentin-cementum structures. In contrast, CLC combined with PCC reconstituted enamel-dentin structures.

Conclusion: These results suggest that dental pulp cells in combination with CLC cells show a diverse tissue-formation potential depending on its localization in the dental pulp.