Fogorvosi szemle, 2005 (98. évfolyam, 1-6. szám)

2005-04-01 / 2. szám

81

FOGORVOSI SZEMLE

Keywords: Desmostylus, dentition, replacement References: Suzuki, K.. Kozawa, Y. (1999) Crestal pit of Desmostylus molar. J. Fossil Research 31; 44- SI. Suzuki, K.. Kozawa, Y. (2003) Dentition of extinct mammals-ln case of Desmostylus cheek teeth (Mammalia: Desmostylia). Arch. Comp. Boil. Tooth Enamel 8; 76-82.

Acknowledgements: This study was supported in part by Grant from the Ministry of Education, Science, Sports and Culture to promote Multidisciplinary Research Projects (in 2001-2005, 2003-2007.

RV. SUGARS, E. KÄRNER, L. AHRLUND-RICHTER *,

M. WENDEL

Center for Oral Biology, Institute of Odontology, Karolinska Institutet, Sweden. ‘Clinical Research Center, Department of Laboratory Medicine,

Karolinska Insitutet, Sweden.

HUMAN EMBRYONIC STEM CELLS AND THEIR POTENTIAL TO DIFFERENTIATE INTO FUNCTIONAL OSTEOBLASTS

The establishment of pluripotent human embryonic stem (hES) cell lines derived from the inner cell mass of the pre-implantation embryo (blastocyst) has been a major advance for many areas of medical research. hES cells are able to undergo self-renewal under prolonged in vitro culture and possess the ability to produce all cell and tissue types both in vitro and in vivo. Thereby, providing an excellent model system by which to study the development and regulation of mammalian systems, and in theory provide a potential source of cells for future therapeutic uses. At the Center for Oral Biology, our research focuses on the potential use of stem cells for the regeneration of the bone tissues in the facial skeleton and oral cavity following disease or trauma. Hence, the ability to differentiate hES cells along an osteoblastic lineage could contribute to the development of new strategies to address these problems. However, the field of hES cell biology is still in the very early stages and it is first necessary to determine the factors and processes involved in the differentiation of hES cells towards an osteoblastic lineage. In order to do this, the hES cell line HS-181 has been treated with various reagents, such as dexamethasone, ascorbic acid and ß-glycerophosphate, which are known to facilitate the differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells and bone marrow stromal cells towards the osteoblastic lineage. Confirmation of successful differentiation and mineral deposition has been achieved by performing RT-PCR analysis and immuno-histochem-■ 98. évf. 2. sz. 2005.

istry for various bone markers, such as osterix, cbfa-1, bone sialoprotein and osteocalcin. The ability of these cells to form a mineralized matrix allows us to go further with the development of strategies to investigate the various pathways involved in the commitment of hES cells towards an osteoblastic phenotype, with an eye on the future therapeutic uses.

Keywords: Embryonic stem cell, Osteoblast, Mineralisation Acknowledgement: The support of COSTB23 is acknowledged.

V. TALLÓN-WALTON, MC. MANZANARESCÉSPEDES; P. CARVALHO-LOBATO; AM. BELMONTE-CALDERÓN; I. SERRA-RENOM;

JM. DE ANTA-VINYALS AND VJ. GÖTZENS-GARCÍA

Human Anatomy Unit, Departament of Human Anatomy and Embryology, University of Barcelona, Spain

BONE AND TEETH CHARACTERISTICS IN AN ARCHAEOLOGICAL POPULATION: THE “ENCANTADES DE MARTÍS”

The aim of this study is to describe the morphological and pathological aspects of the teeth and osseous materials found in a cave called “Encantades de Martis”, used as a burial site during 2500 years, between the middle Neolithic age and the Roman Empire age. Even if there was a huge amount of material, it was not classified and its state of conservation was very poor. After classification, 4274 teeth were identified from a total of 4325, 3877 J being definitive teeth and 397 temporary teeth. The maxillar and mandibular bone fragments found were 774,170 maxillar and 604 mandibular.

Our results show that caries lesions were present in a 1,64% of the teeth studied, and localized in a way that suggest the concomitant presence of periodontal disease. Some cases of alterations in the position, shape and number of teeth were also found and are presently submitted to genetic study. Toothwear was evident in virtually all the occlusal surfaces, both in permanent and in decid- I uous teeth, as well as other vestibular lesions due to the lateral forces to which enamel surfaces were submitted.

The low caries index and the low percentage of teeth showing enamel hypoplasia seem to indicate that the populations studied were in good health state and that their diet was rich in vegetables and fibres, permitting the self-cleansing of the teeth.

Keywords: Paleodontology, teeth, calcified tissue Acknowledgement: This work has been conducted within the framework of the COST-Action B23.