Abstract:

The biological properties of cultured human dental pulp cells were investigated in the study. Dental pulp was isolated from human young permanent teeth and cultured in vitro routinely. Fibroblasts usually appeared to migrate from primary explants of dental pulp after 7 to 10 d. Thirty days after explantation, the migrating cells formed confluent monolayers and were subcultured. With the techniques of immunocytochemistry, the pulp cells showed high levers of alkaline phosphatease activity. In addition to the production of type I collagen, these cells also synthesized fibronectin. With continued culture, the pulp cells formed nodules 10 to 15 d after being dispersed in the flask. The matrix formed in these nodules strained strongly with Von Kossa. This research provides a useful system for studying the physiology and calcification of pulp tissues.

Key words: dental pulp fibroblasts, alkaline phosphatease, typeⅠcollagen, calcification