ABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the effect of stem cell factor on the proliferation and osteogenic differentiation of human deciduous dental pulp stem cells.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>Human dental pulp tissues were harvested from extracted deciduous teeth and digested by collagenase and dispase. The stem cells from human exfoliated deciduous teeth (SHED) obtained were cultured in the presence of 3 or 10 µmol/L stem cell factor, and the proliferation of the cells was assessed by MTT assay. The influence of stem cell factor on alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity was evaluated using ALP kit. Bone sialoprotein and osteocalcin mRNA expression in the treated cells were examined by real-time PCR.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>MTT assay indicated that both 3 and 10 µmol/L stem cell factor promoted the proliferation of SHED. Stem cell factor enhanced ALP activity in the SHED, and the effect was more obvious at 10 µmol/L. Treatment of the cells with stem cell factor up-regulated the mRNA expressions of bone sialoprotein and osteocalcin.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Stem cell factor can promote the proliferation and osteogenic differentiation SHED, suggesting the effect of stem cell factor in promoting tooth regeneration.</p>