Abstract: Objective　To determine whether dentin matrix proteins were expressed by the human odontoblast-like cell line hTERT-hOd-lin vitro.Methods　Collagen typeⅠ, bone sialoprotein (BSP),dentin matrix protein 1 (DMP1) and the marker for odontoblast, dentin sialophosphoprotein (DSPP) and dentin sialoprotein(DSP) were detected in these cells by immunohistoche- mistry, RT-PCR and in situ hybridization. During being cultured in mineralizingmedium for 5 weeks, the secretion of OC and ac- tivity of ALP were measured once aweek.Results　DSPP, DMP1,BSP and collagen typeⅠwere expressed in hTERT-hOd-l ei- ther at mRNA or protein level. Underthe induction of mineralizingmedium, the cells showed higher activity of ALP and increased secretion of OC.Conclusion　hTERT-hOd-l expressed dentin extracellularmatrixin vitro, which means the cell line has the po- tential of mineralization.

Key words: odontoblast, dentin extracellular matrix, mineralization