In vitro evaluation of isolation possibility of stem cells from intraoral soft tissue and comparison of them with bone marrow stem cells

In recent years, stem cells are of great interest in order to regenerating disturbed tissue and organs. These cells are commonly isolated from bone marrow, but other tissues are interested in recent years. In this study, we decided to evaluate possibility of isolation of stem cells from oral connective tissue and assess their characteristics. This is an experimental study. Sampling from bone marrow and oral connective tissue of beagle dog was done under general anesthesia. Isolation of bone marrow stem cells was done according to the established protocols. For isolating connective tissue stem cells, this protocol was changed a little. Then characteristics of the cells were compared to evaluate if the cells from connective tissue are stem cells. Morphology of the cells from bone marrow and connective tissue were the same. The result of colony-forming-unit assay was relatively similar; however, the percentage of connective tissue colonies was more. Population doubling time was similar too. In addition, both of groups of cells differentiated to osteoblasts in osteogenic media. The cells isolated from oral connective tissue have the characteristics of stem cells, including: fibroblastoid morphology, self renewal properties, high proliferation rate, and differentiation potential.