DNA synthesis of enamel organ epithelium in vitro is enhanced by co-cultivation with non-viable mesenchyme cells.

Developing enamel organ epithelium was cultured in the presence and absence of non-viable dental papilla mesenchyme cells. Epithelial cell proliferation was enhanced by 75% when cultivated on the mesenchyme cell substratum. The addition of epidermal growth factor (EGF) to enamel organ epithelium cultured on this substratum resulted in a synergistic enhancement of DNA synthesis.