In vitro culture and biological characteristics of cranial neural crest stem cell / 华西口腔医学杂志

ABSTRACT

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>According to development biology, cranial neural crest stem cell (CNCSC) can differentiate into precursor cells of tooth, jaw and peripheral nerve system, but in vitro study is less reported. In the present study, CNCSC were dissociated and cultured in vitro, and the biological characteristics of CNCSC was investigated.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Cranial neural tubes, dissected from mouse E9d, were explanted onto fibronectin-coated dishes. CNCSCs emigrated from the explanted neural tubes, cultured in a serum-free medium containing modified DMEM/F12. Biological characteristics of CNCSC were detected by morphology, nuclear labeled with BurdU and immunocytochemistry.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Fibroblast-like CNCSCs demonstrated the characteristics of stem cell, such as clonality, self-renewal and multipotentiality. The result of immunocytochemical stain showed that CNCSC expressed HNK-1 antigen.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>CNCSC were cultured successfully, providing a experimental basis for study on tooth/jaw-like differentiation of CNCSC in vitro, especially providing a cell source for investigating tooth/jaw regeneration.</p>