Differences between Gene Expressions of RUNX2, FBN2, OCN, ALDP, GAD1 and TAC2 in Stem Cells Originating from Periodontal Ligament and Dental Follicle in Adipogenic and Osteogenic Differentiation Media

Periodontal tissues and dental follicle have always been considered as the sources of isolation and cultivation of stem cells. Different methods have been used to identify stem cells including microscopy and flow cytometer analysis to identify surface markers. However, the ability of stem cells to express and differentiate into different genes can be used as an important criterion to authenticate that they are stem cells. The purpose of the current study was to investigate the gene expression of stem cells originating from periodontal ligament and dental follicle in Adipogenic and Osteogenic differentiation media. Materials & Methods: once the cells were isolated from donor tissues and got cultivated, they were placed in Adipogenic and Osteogenic differentiation media to authenticate their differentiation from the intended cells by specialized staining. Next, the expression of different genes in each medium was examined through the Real Time PCR quantitative method. Results: The results indicated that the intended cells had the ability of growth and differentiation into specialized adipogenic and osteogenic cells. According to Real Rime PCR, the gene expression of RUNX2, FBN2 and OCN increased in osteogenic while decreased in adipogenic media. Furthermore, the gene expression of ALDP, GAD1 and TAC2 increased in adipogenic while decreased in osteogenic median. The comparison of gene expression between both differentiation media was indicative of a significant difference (P. 0.05); whereas, there was not any significant difference between the stem cells originating from periodontal ligament and dental follicle (P. 0.05). Conclusion: To conclude, the stem cells in the tissues of periodontal ligament and dental follicle can be successfully used as essential sources to renew and regenerate various tissues in tissue engineering.