Abstract: PURPOSE: To compare the differences between the osteogenic development in vivo and osteogenic differentiation in vitro of mouse maxillary primordium mesenchymal cells (MPMCs). METHODS: E10.5 and E17.5 mouse MPMCs were cultured in vitro to observe cell morphology. E10.5 primary MPMCs, after culturing in vitro for 3 days, were cultured in osteogenic differentiation in vitro for another 7 days. Then immunofluorescence and qPCR were used to compare the difference of osteogenic differentiation with E17.5 primary MPMCs cultured in vitro for 3 days. SPSS 20.0 software package was used for independent samples t test. RESULTS: E10.5 and E17.5 mouse MPMCs adhered to dish when cultured in vitro, and the cells exhibited polygonal or oval shape. The proliferation of E17.5 mouse MPMCs was faster than that of E10.5 MPMCs. After 7 days of osteogenic induction, the expression of Runx2 and OCN proteins, two osteogenic markers, in E10.5 mouse MPMCs was similar to E17.5 cells without osteogenic induction. The mRNA expression of Runx2, OCN and OPN also showed similar expression patterns, and there was no significant difference in the calcium nodules formation between E10.5 MPMCs and E17.5 MPMCs. CONCLUSIONS: In vitro osteogenic induction of E10.5 mouse MPMCs can mimic osteogenic development process of MPMCs in vivo, and provide a suitable cell model for the study of jaw development.

Key words: Maxillary primordium, Mesenchymal cells, Development in vivo, Osteogenic differentiation in vitro