Effects of continued culture on the differentiation of human dental pulp cells in vitro

Objectives:The purpose of the study was to understand the differentiated abilities of human dental pulp cells with continued culture in vitro. Methods:Human dental pulp cells were cultured and passaged continuedly in vitro. Cells from different passages were stimulated to differentiation with certified culture medium. Alkaline phosphatase activity, the ability of mineralization and type¢ñcollagen expression were detected at the same time. Results:With continued culture, alkaline phosphatase activity was tend to descend; the number and area of mineralization nodules were decreased; type¢ñcollagen expression was reduced. Conclusions:With continued culture in vitro,the differentiated abilities of human dental pulp cells were declined, which may be due to the decrease of the undifferentiated cells(human dental pulp stem cells).