Figure 6.

Expression of the human-specific DSPP, osteocalcin (OC), bone sialoprotein (BSP) mRNA in DPSC transplants. Transcripts for DSPP, BSP, OC, and glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase were detected by reverse transcription–PCR by using total RNA isolated from 6-week-old DPSC transplants (A). DSPP-positive cells were also found in the pulp tissue and odontoblast layer (arrow) adjacent to the dentin matrix (d) by in situ hybridization (B). Specificity of the probe was verified by hybridization in the odontoblast layer (arrow) of human dental pulp (p) tissue (C). No reactivity of the DSPP-specific probe was detected in human bone, bone marrow, and muscle tissue (data not shown).