Abstract: Objective To compare the osteogenic differentiation potential and osteoclast capacity between stem cells from
human exfoliated deciduous teeth (SHED) in the physiological root resorption period and dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs).
Methods SHED and DPSCs were isolated, purified and cultured in vitro. The two stem cells were examined with ALP staining
at 14 days and with alizarin red staining at 21 days of osteogenic induction, and the expressions of the genes associated with
osteogenesis and osteoclastogenesis were detected using real-time PCR. Results The isolated SHED and DPSCs both showed
an elongate spindle-shaped morphology. After osteogenic induction of the cells, Alizarin red staining visualized a greater
number of mineralized nodules in SHED than in DPSCs (P<0.05), and SHED also exhibited a stronger ALP activity than DPSCs
(P<0.05). RT-PCR test results showed that the two stem cells expressed RANKL,OCN, ALP, OPG and Runx2 mRNA after
osteogenic induction, but the expression levels of Runx2, OCN and ALP were lower in DPSCs than in SHED (P<0.05), and the
ratio of RANKL/OPG was significantly higher in SHED (P<0.05). Conclusion Compared with DPSCs, SHED has not only the
ability of osteogenic differentiation but also an osteoclast capacity, which sheds light on the regulatory role of SHED in
physiological root resorption bone remodeling.