Mesenchymal stem cells are a highly promising source of cells for regeneration therapy because of their multilineage differentiation potential. However, distinct markers for mesenchymal stem cells are not well-established. To identify new candidate marker genes for multipotent human dental pulp stem cells, we analyzed the characteristics and gene expression profiles of cell clones obtained from a single dental pulp specimen derived from an 11-year-old female patient. Fifty colony-forming single cell-derived clones were separately cultured until the cessation of growth. These clones varied in their proliferation abilities and surface marker (STRO-1 and CD146) expression patterns, as well as their odontogenic, adipogenic, and chondrogenic differentiation potentials. Four clones maintained their original differentiation potentials during long-term culture. Gene expression profile by DNA microarray analysis of five representative clones identified 1227 genes that were related to multipotency. Ninety of these 1227 genes overlapped with genes reportedly involved in ‘stemness or differentiation’. Based on the predicted locations of expressed protein products and large changes in expression levels, 14 of the 90 genes were selected as candidate dental pulp stem cell markers, particularly in relation to their multipotency characteristics. This characterization of cell clones obtained from a single specimen of human dental pulp provided information regarding new candidate marker genes for multipotent dental pulp stem cells, which could facilitate efficient analysis or enrichment of multipotent stem cells.

中文翻译：

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人牙髓细胞克隆培养物中增殖，分化潜能和基因表达的表征。

间充质干细胞由于其多系分化潜能而成为用于再生治疗的极有希望的细胞来源。但是，间充质干细胞的独特标记尚不明确。为了确定多能性人类牙髓干细胞的新候选标记基因，我们分析了从一个11岁女性患者的单个牙髓样本中获得的细胞克隆的特征和基因表达谱。分别培养五十个形成菌落的单细胞来源克隆，直至停止生长。这些克隆的增殖能力和表面标记（STRO-1和CD146）表达模式以及成牙，成脂和成软骨分化潜能各不相同。四个克隆在长期培养过程中保持了其原始的分化潜能。通过DNA芯片分析五个代表性克隆的基因表达谱，鉴定出1227个与多能性相关的基因。在这1227个基因中，有90个与据报道参与“干性或分化”的基因重叠。根据表达的蛋白质产物的预测位置和表达水平的大变化，从90个基因中选择14个作为候选牙髓干细胞标记，尤其是在其多能性特征方面。从人类牙髓的单个标本中获得的细胞克隆的这种特征提供了有关多能牙髓干细胞的新候选标记基因的信息，这可能有助于多能干细胞的有效分析或富集。通过DNA芯片分析五个代表性克隆的基因表达谱，鉴定出1227个与多能性相关的基因。在这1227个基因中，有90个与据报道涉及“干性或分化”的基因重叠。根据表达的蛋白质产物的预测位置和表达水平的大变化，从90个基因中选择14个作为候选牙髓干细胞标记，尤其是在其多能性特征方面。从人类牙髓的单个标本中获得的细胞克隆的这种特征提供了有关多能牙髓干细胞的新候选标记基因的信息，这可能有助于多能干细胞的有效分析或富集。通过DNA芯片分析五个代表性克隆的基因表达谱，鉴定出1227个与多能性相关的基因。在这1227个基因中，有90个与据报道参与“干性或分化”的基因重叠。根据表达的蛋白质产物的预测位置和表达水平的大变化，从90个基因中选择14个作为候选牙髓干细胞标记，尤其是在其多能性特征方面。从人类牙髓的单个标本中获得的细胞克隆的这种特征提供了有关多能牙髓干细胞的新候选标记基因的信息，这可能有助于多能干细胞的有效分析或富集。