[Immortalization of human dental pulp stem cells caused by transferring hTERT gene].

Purpose: To establish an immortalized human dental pulp stem cell line used for basic and clinical research of oral science.

Methods: Human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) cDNA was transferred into human dental pulp stem cells (hDPSCs) by lentivirus. The resultant stable clones reproduced successively and the expression of hTERT was identified.

Results: The hTERT gene was transferred into human dental pulp stem cells successfully. The transformed cells expressed telomerase activity and divided vigorously. p35 had been obtained so far.

Conclusions: The hDPSCs can be immortalized by transferring exogenous hTERT gene to constitute telomerase activity.