Type I collagen (COL-1) is the prevailing component of the extracellular matrix in a number of tissues including skin, ligament, cartilage, bone, and dentin. It is the most widely used tissue-derived natural polymer. Currently, mammalian animals, including pig, cow, and rat, are the three major sources for purification of COL-1. To reduce the risk of zoonotic infectious diseases transmission, minimize the possibility of immunogenic reaction, and avoid problems related to religious issues, exploration of new sources (other than mammalian animals) for the purification of type I collagen is highly desirable. Hence, the purpose of the current study was to investigate the in vitro responses of MDPC-23 to type I collagen isolated from tilapia scale in terms of cellular proliferation, differentiation, and mineralization. The results suggested that tilapia scale collagen exhibited comparable biocompatibility to porcine skin collagen, indicating it might be a potential alternative to type I collagen from mammals in the application for tissue regeneration in oral-maxillofacial area.

Key words: Fibronectin; Odontoblasts; Cell differentiation; Cell proliferation

The aim of this study was to clarify the function of amelogenin, the major protein of enamel matrix derivative, on the proliferation, differentiation, and mineralization of cultured rat bone marrow stem cells (BMSCs), toward the establishment of future bone regenerative therapies. No differences in the morphology of BMSCs or in cell numbers were found between amelogenin addition and additive-free groups. The promotion of ALPase activity and the formation of mineralized nodules were detected at an early stage in amelogenin addition group. In quantitative real-time RT-PCR, mRNA expression of osteopontin, osteonectin, and type I collagen was promoted for 0.5 hours and 24 hours by addition of amelogenin. The mRNA expression of osteocalcin and DMP-1 was also stimulated for 24 hours and 0.5 hours, respectively, in amelogenin addition group. These findings clearly indicate that amelogenin promoted the differentiation and mineralization of rat BMSCs but did not affect cell proliferation or cell morphology.