Comparison of stem cell behaviors between indigenous high and low-CD24 percentage expressing cells of stem cells from apical papilla (SCAPs)

CD24 was suggested as a marker to SCAPs and has been reported for a decade. CD24 has been shown to involve stem cell activities such as self-renewal, proliferation and differentiation. However, the percentage variations of CD24 positive cells were reported among the studies. It is possible that this variation may affect these SCAPs behaviors. In this study, the variation was confirmed. To elucidate the influence of CD24 positive cells quantity on SCAPs stem cell behaviors, the 3 cell lines with the most maximum and the least numbers of CD24 positive cells (High-CD24 and Low-CD24 group) were selected to study. Both groups expressed the same mesenchymal stem cell markers and negative to hematopoietic marker. High-CD24 group demonstrated less self-renewal capacity by lower colony-forming-unit count and pluripotency marker gene expressions. However, cell proliferation was not different. In contrast, osteogenic and adipogenic differentiation were better than Low-CD24 group. The early stage of root development demonstrated higher CD24 expressing cells than later stage. In conclusion, quantity of CD24 expressing cells influenced SCAPs self-renewal and multi-lineage differentiation but did not influence on cell proliferation. Stage of root development influenced to CD24 expressing cell numbers.