Calcium-mediated differentiation of ameloblast lineage cells in vitro

Calcium is a key component of the mineralized enamel matrix, but may also have a role in ameloblast cell differentiation. In this study we used human ameloblast lineage cells to determine the effect of calcium on cell function. Primary human ameloblast lineage cells were isolated from human fetal tooth buds. Cells were treated with calcium ranging from 0.05 to -1.8 mM. Cell morphology was imaged by phase contrast microscopy, and amelogenin was immunolocalized. Proliferation of cells treated with calcium was measured by BrdU immunoassay. The effect of calcium on mRNA expression of amelogenin, Type 1 collagen, DSPP, amelotin, and KLK-4 was compared by PCR analysis. Von Kossa staining was used to detect mineral formation after cells were pretreated with calcium. Calcium induced cell organization and clustering at 0.1 and 0.3 mM concentrations. Increasing concentrations of calcium significantly reduced ameloblast lineage cell proliferation. The addition of 0.1 mM calcium to the cultures upregulated expression of amelogenin, Type I collagen, and amelotin. After pretreatment with 0.3 mM calcium, the cells could form a mineralized matrix. These studies, which utilized human ameloblast lineage cells grown in vitro, showed that the addition of calcium at 0.1 and 0.3 mM, induced cell differentiation and upregulation of amelogenin Type I collagen and amelotin.