Methods: In this study, we investigated the differential expression of 84 stem cell related genes in DPCs and PDLCs undergoing odontogenic/osteogenic differentiation.
Results: Our results showed that, although there was considerable overlap, certain genes had more differential expression in PDLCs than in DPCs. CCND2, DLL1, and MME were the major upregulated genes in both PDLCs and DPCs, whereas KRT15 was the only gene significantly downregulated in PDLCs and DPCs, in both odontogenic and osteogenic differentiation. Interestingly, a large number of regulatory genes in odontogenic and osteogenic differentiation interact or crosstalk via Notch, Wnt, TGFâ/BMP, and Cadherin signalling pathways, such as the regulation of APC, DLL1, CCND2, BMP2, and CDH1. Using a rat dental pulp and periodontal defect model, the expression and distribution of both BMP2 and CDH1 have been verified their spactial localization in dental pulp and periodontal tissue regeneration.
Conclusion: This study has generated an overview of stem cell related gene expression in DPCs and PDLCs during odontogenic/osteogenic differentiation, and revealed that these genes may interact through the Notch, Wnt, TGFâ/BMP, and Cadherin signalling pathways to play a crucial role in determining the fate of dental derived cell and dental tissue regeneration. These findings provided a new insight into the molecular mechanisms of the dental tissue mineralization and regeneration.