Abstract: Abstract: Objective To investigate the potential of odontogenic differentiation of placenta-derived mesenchymal stem cells (PMSCs). Methods PMSCs were obtained from SD rat placental tissues with collagenase and trypsin digestion. Immunocytochemistry was used to identify their phenotype. Osteogenic and adipogenic induction were used to identify their multilineage differentiation. SD fetal rat tooth germ cell-conditioned medium (TGC-CM) was used to induce PMSCs for 14 days. The specific proteins (DMP-1 and DSP) of odontoblast were detected by Immunocytochemistry. The specific genes (DMP-1and DSPP) of odontoblast were detected by RT-PCR and gel electrophoresis. Results PMSCs were positive for CD105, CD44 and CD29, negative for CD31, C34 and CD45. Calcium nodules and lipid droplets were formed respectively after osteogenic and adipogenic induction. After 14 days’ odontogenic induction, the morphology of PMSCs had no obvious change, and they expressed the specific proteins (DSP and DMP-1) and the specific genes (DMP-1 and DSPP), which were specifically expressed in odontoblast. Conclusion PMSCs have the potential to be induced to odontoblast-like cells.

Key words: Placenta-derived mesenchymal stem cells, Odontoblast, Tooth germ cell conditioned medium, Differentiation