Periodontal Ligament Stem Cells Possess the Characteristics of Pericytes

Background: Periodontal ligament (PDL) contributes to maintaining homeostasis in periodontal tissues by supplying stem/progenitor cells. It has long been suggested that PDL stem cells/progenitors are located around blood vessels. Recently mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have been isolated and cultured from PDL in vitro, although the location of the stem cells in PDL is unclear. The purpose of this study is to test the characteristics of human PDL stem cells (PDLSCs) and examine their similarity to related vascular cell types, such as pericytes and endothelial cells. Methods: PDLSCs were obtained from healthy extracted teeth using the collagenase/dispase enzyme digestion method. MSC and pericyte characteristics of PDLSCs were examined by cell surface marker expression using flow cytometry. The expression of pericyte markers was tested using immunohistochemistry. Pericyte‐like functions of PDLSCs were examined in co‐culture of PDLSCs and umbilical vein endothelial cells on a gel matrix. Results: Cultured PDLSCs were positive for both MSC markers and pericyte markers, including cluster of differentiation 146 (CD146), neural/glial antigen 2 (NG2), and CD140b. When pericyte marker expression was explored in rat periodontal tissue sections, CD146‐ and NG2‐positive signals were observed in the perivascular area of the PDL. Further, when the cells were cultured with human umbilical cord endothelial cells under conditions for forming capillary‐like structures in vitro, PDLSCs localized adjacent to endothelial cells and contributed to the stability of the capillary‐like structure. Conclusions: PDLSCs possess pericyte‐like characteristics and may localize as pericytes in the PDL. These data provide useful information for stem cell biology in periodontal research and stem cell–based periodontal therapy.