Expression of stem cell factor and its receptor, c‐kit, in human oral mesenchymal cells

Abstract

Stem cell factor (SCF) is the pleiotropic ligand for the tyrosine kinase receptor, c-kit. Ligand and receptor are usually expressed in different cell types, and binding of SCF to c-kit promotes cell proliferation, differentiation, and recruitment of progenitor cells in various biologic systems. However, the localization of these two molecules in cells of the oral cavity has not been systematically examined. We investigated the expression of SCF and c-kit in human dental pulp (HDP) cells as well as in human gingival fibroblasts (HGF). Both alternatively spliced isoforms of SCF were detected (through reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction) in RNA obtained from the two cell types. Western analysis established that both cell types express SCF and/or c-kit, whereas flow cytometry demonstrated distinct cell populations expressing only the ligand (SCF), only the receptor (c-kit), or co-expressing the two. HDP cultures showed higher soluble SCF (sSCF) production associated with faster cell growth, as compared with HGF cultures. In both cell types, however, sSCF levels appeared to increase as a result of in vitro aging and/or differentiation.

Effects of basic fibroblast growth factor on the development of the stem cell properties of human dental pulp cells

“…Stem cells are generally defined as clonogenic cells capable of both self-renewal and multi-lineage differentiation. The stem cell factor, the pleiotropic ligand for the tyrosine kinase receptor (c-kit), has been demonstrated in human dental pulp by Western analysis (Gagari et al, 2006). Previous studies have shown that stem cells isolated from the pulp of adult human teeth and expanded in vitro showed an 9% positivity for STRO-1, an antibody that recognizes a cell surface antigen present on precursors of various stromal cell types including marrow fibroblasts, osteoblasts, chondrocytes, adipocytes, and smooth muscle cells isolated from human adult and fetal bone marrow (Simmons and Torok-Storb, 1991;Oyajobi et al, 1999;Dennis et al, 2000).…”

Growth and Osteogenic Differentiation of CD117+ Dental Pulp and Periodontal Ligament Cells

“…CD117 has been reported to be expressed in adult / neonatal DPC (18,19) and PDLC (20). When stem cell factor (SCF) binds to CD117, cell proliferation, cell migration, angiogenesis and tissue remodeling can be induced.…”

Expression of the stem cell factor in fibroblasts, endothelial cells, and macrophages in periapical tissues in human chronic periapical diseases

“…Over-expression of SCF/c-Kit is associated with the inflammatory reaction, proliferation spread, and wound repair (Kalra et al, 2013). Expression of the SCF/cKit receptor and its ligand in epithelial tissues has been found to be associated with neoplastic transformation (Gagari et al, 2006). Therefore, SCF has a close relationship with allergic asthma, liver tissue fibrosis, small cell lung cancers, and so on (Choudhary et al, 2016).…”