OBJECTIVE: The growth and differentiation properties of human
dental pulp cells (HDPC) were investigated on a variety of natural scaffolds, including 2 types of
collagen,
gelatin, and
chitosan. STUDY DESIGN: Cell attachment and growth rates of HDPC on
collagen (type I and type III),
gelatin, and
chitosan were observed.
Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity,
mRNA expression of differentiation-related genes, and mineralization of the HDPC on each scaffold were assessed. RESULTS:
Dental pulp cells attached and proliferated rapidly on
collagen and
gelatin, but
chitosan did not properly support
cell growth. The cells
plated on
gelatin exhibited high ALP activity, but not as high as cells
plated on
collagen. The expression peak of
osteocalcin (OCN)
mRNA from cells grown on
collagen was found earlier and followed by
dentin sialophosphoprotein (
DSPP) and
dentin matrix protein 1 (DMP-1)
mRNA expression. In cells grown on
gelatin, however, OCN
mRNA transcripts appeared at a later period of culture with no increase in
DSPP or DMP-1
mRNA. Intensely mineralized
extracellular matrix was seen in cells grown on
collagen, but
gelatin did not allow enough mineralization of cells in differentiation-inducing media. CONCLUSION:
Collagen supported proliferation and differentiation of HDPC, and the expression of
DSPP and DMP-1
mRNA was reduced on
gelatin.
