RESUMEN
Objective: To investigate the feasibility of culturing and identifying the cementoblasts in vitro and to study the biological characteristics of rat cementoblasts.Methods: Osteoblasts, PDL fibroblasts and cementoblasts were obtained from alveolar bone and the root surface of rat first molars and cultured with a 2-step method of enzyme digestion/explant technique. Bone osteocalcin(OCN) and alkaline phosphatase(ALP) were detected by quantitative immunohistochemical examination. Alizarin Red S was used to examine the formation of calcified nodules under conditional culture. Results: Primarily cultured cells could be subcultured. Osteoblasts were identified by the expression of OCN and ALP at heigh level, cementoblasts by OCN , PDL fibroblasts by ALP at moderate level, cell clusters/nodules of cementoblasts were observed as the cells approached confluence.Conclusion: Cementoblast-like cells may be cultured in vitro.