Abstract
After autotransplantation of teeth the healing of periodontal tissue regulates the patient's prognosis. Umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells (UCMSC) have shown excellent pluripotent and proliferation potential. In the present study we investigated the characteristics and developmental capability of osteogenic differentiation to find out whether human UCMSC promote periodontal healing. UCMSC were obtained by primary culture and identified using flow cytometry. Flow cytometry, real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR), Western blotting, assays of alkaline phosphatase activity, and alizarin red staining were used to assess the potential for hUCMSC to proliferate and differentiate in vitro. Both dentine and predifferentiated or undifferentiated cells were transplanted subcutaneously onto the backs of immunodeficient mice to mimic periodontal tissue healing in vivo. The result showed that hUCMSC were readily obtained, and expressed numerous mesenchymal stem cell markers. Expression of stemness markers decreased notably during osteogenic differentiation. Through investigation of different time points, we found that the osteogenic procedure could be activated and detected at day 7. In the in vivo experiments, the predifferentiated hUCMSC showed increased ability to form cementum-like deposits surrounded by fibroblast-like tissue on the surface of the dentine. In conclusion, the potential for proliferation and differentiation, and the ability to form cementum-like tissue, suggest that hUCMSC are promising candidates as a source of mesenchymal stem cell for sources of periodontal healing after autotransplantation of teeth.