Open AccessStiffness regulates the proliferation and osteogenic/odontogenic differentiation of human dental pulp stem cells via the WNT signalling pathway
Author(s) -
Liu Nanxin,
Zhou Mi,
Zhang Qi,
Zhang Tao,
Tian Taoran,
Ma Quanquan,
Xue Changyue,
Lin Shiyu,
Cai Xiaoxiao
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
cell proliferation
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.647
H-Index - 74
eISSN - 1365-2184
pISSN - 0960-7722
DOI - 10.1111/cpr.12435
Subject(s) - dental pulp stem cells , microbiology and biotechnology , osteocalcin , wnt signaling pathway , osteopontin , extracellular matrix , stem cell , chemistry , runx2 , dentin sialophosphoprotein , cellular differentiation , alkaline phosphatase , signal transduction , biology , immunology , biochemistry , gene , enzyme
Objectives Researches showed that stiffness of the extracellular matrix can affect the differentiation of many stem cells. Dental pulp stem cells ( DPSC s) are a promising type of adult stem cell. However, we know little about whether and how the behaviour of DPSC s is influenced by stiffness. Materials and methods We carried out a study that cultured DPSC s on tunable elasticity polydimethylsiloxane substrates to investigate the influence on morphology, proliferation, osteogenic/odontogenic differentiation and its possible mechanism. Results Soft substrates changed the cell morphology and inhibited the proliferation of DPSC s. Expression of markers related to osteogenic/odontogenic differentiation was significantly increased as the substrate stiffness increased, including ALP (alkaline phosphatase), OCN (osteocalcin), OPN (osteopontin), RUNX ‐2 (runt‐related transcription factor‐2), BMP ‐2 (bone morphogenetic protein‐2), DSPP (dentin sialophosphoprotein) and DMP ‐1 (dentin matrix protein‐1). Mechanical properties promote the function of DPSC s related to the Wnt signalling pathway. Conclusions Our results showed that mechanical factors can regulate the proliferation and differentiation of DPSC s via the WNT signalling pathway. This provides theoretical basis to optimize dental or bone tissue regeneration through increasing stiffness of extracelluar matrix.