Defining a visual marker of osteoprogenitor cells within the periodontium.

ABSTRACT:

Background and objective

Cells with osteoprogenitor potential are present within periodontal tissues during development and in postnatal life. To identify an osteoprogenitor population, this study utilized a transgenic model in which an alpha-smooth muscle actin (alphaSMA) promoter directed green fluorescent protein (GFP) expression.

Material and methods

Observation of GFP expression was complemented with analysis of osteogenic differentiation by determining the expression of RNA of bone markers, by histochemical staining for alkaline phosphatase and by the detection of mineralized nodules using xylenol orange. Flow cytometry was utilized to determine the proliferative potential and cell-surface phenotype of cultured alphaSMA-positive cells.

Results

alphaSMA-GFP expre

SUBMITTER: San Miguel SM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2871067 | biostudies-literature | 2010 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature