Biologic characteristics and osteogenic differentiation of maxillary primordium mesenchymal cells.

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the biologic characteristics and osteogenic differentiation of mouse maxillary primordium mesenchymal cells (MPMCs) in vitro.

Methods: The MPMCs were obtained from the E13.5 mouse embryos and cultured in vitro. The biologic characteristics were studied based on general observation and 5-Bromo-2-deoxyUridine (BrdU) label. The MPMCs from the first passage were cultured in the osteogenic medium for 1 week. Then, the immunofluorescence staining, alkaline phosphatase staining, Alizarin red S staining, and quantity polymerase chain reaction were used to evaluate the osteogenic capability of MPMCs.

Results: The E13.5 MPMCs were successfully adherent cultured and passaged in vitro. These cells expressed Dlx2 and SMAD7, two genes that play important roles in the development of maxillary primordium. The percentage of 5-Bromo-2-deoxyUridine-labeled MPMCs was 32.1%. Osteogenic induction could promote the expression of Runx2, osteocalcin, and osteopontin, 3 osteogenic markers, in MPMCs. In addition, osteogenic induction could stimulate the secretion of alkaline phosphatase and promote the deposition of calcium nodules in MPMCs.

Conclusions: The MPMCs could be cultured in vitro and could differentiate into osteoblast in vitro through osteogenic induction. It offered an alternative cell source to regenerate craniofacial bone and offered a useful cell model to study the craniofacial bone development.