Embryonic stem cells (ESCs) are established from blastocysts and give rise to various types of cells and tissues. In the present study, we assessed the osteogenic potential of ESCs using in vitro culture conditions and in vivo differentiation in tooth sockets. An ESC-derived embryoid body (EB) was formed and subsequently induced to an osteogenic lineage. The differentiated EB cells exhibited increased expression of various osteogenic markers as determined by real-time PCR analysis. Likewise, the differentiated EB-derived cells had enhanced alkaline phosphatase activity and calcium accumulation, as determined by cytochemical methods. For in vivo transplantation, mixtures of ESCs and hydroxyapatite/ tricalcium phosphate particles or EBs alone were transplanted into female rat tooth sockets. After 12 weeks, we observed formation of osteogenic structure in the tooth sockets without evidence of teratomas. These data suggest that pluripotent ESCs can serve as an alternative source for the reconstruction of craniofacial structures, as well as for further applications

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