Isolation of Single Cells from Mouse Periodontal Ligament.

The periodontal ligament (PDL) is an essential tissue connecting teeth and bone. It is a complex tissue specifically designed to absorb the forces of mastication; analysis of its multiple cell populations is important to understand its function and the cell changes associated with periodontal disease. Cells in the periodontal ligament are not fully understood due to their physical location and small tissue size. It is challenging to isolate thin layers of cells compared with many other more substantial tissues. Here, we provide a straightforward protocol for the isolation of periodontal ligament cells from mice.