Effect of humoral factors from hPDLSCs on the biologic activity of hABCs

Oral Diseases (2012) 18, 537–547 Objective: The human periodontal ligament stem cells (hPDLSCs) and human alveolar bone–derived stromal cells (hABCs) seem to be closely involved in the maintenance of alveolar bone in an anatomically indirect manner; however, there is little study on this matter. Therefore, the effect of hPDLSCs on the osteoclastogenic, osteogenic, and adipogenic differentiation of hABCs was evaluated, focusing on the humoral factors released by hPDLSCs. Materials and methods: Human periodontal ligament stem cells and hABCs were isolated and characterized. hPDLSCs were indirectly cocultured to observe the in vitro effect of humoral factors released from hPDLSCs on the osteoclastogenic, osteogenic, and adipogenic differentiation of hABCs. Human gingival fibroblasts (hGFs) were utilized as positive control. Results: Isolated cells demonstrated the presence of stem cells within. Indirect coculture of hPDLSCs greatly inhibited osteoclastogenesis by hABCs. Osteogenesis/adipogenesis of hABCs was also inhibited by indirect coculture with hPDLSC. The magnitude of regulatory effect from hPDLSCs was significantly greater than that of hGFs. Conclusions: Humoral factors released from hPDLSCs seemed to modulate the differentiation of hABCs, and the osteoclastogenic, osteogenic, and adipogenic differentiation of hABCs was all inhibited, suggesting the potential role of hPDLSCs in the maintenance of the alveolar bone.