Background/Aims : Mussel-inspired polydopamine (PDA) is known to be an effective bioadhesive and bioactive material for controlling stem cell fate, which is important in stem cell-based regenerative medicine; however, the effect of PDA on osteogenic differentiation of periodontal ligament stem cells (PDLSCs) is not fully understood. In this study, we investigated the osteoinductive effect of PDA on PDLSCs and examined how this phenomenon is encouraged. Methods : Osteogenic induction of PDLSCs was established by culturing cells on PDA film or on an uncoated polystyrene surface as a control. Osteogenic differentiation of PDLSCs was assessed by measurement of intracellular calcium levels and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity as well as by evaluation of protein expression of osteocalcin (OCN), osterix (OSX), and runt-related transcription factor 2 (RUNX2). Results : The PDLSCs cultured on PDA film showed higher osteogenic activity than those on the control surface. Moreover, PDLSCs on PDA film expressed increased levels of the integrin adhesion receptors integrin α5 and β1 compared to control cells. Expression of one isoform of the intracellular signaling protein phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI3K), p110γ, was increased in PDLSCs on PDA film in a PDA dose-dependent manner. This signaling protein was found to interact with integrin β1, demonstrating integrin-linked PI3K activation in response to PDA. Finally, the blockage of PI3K reduced the PDA-induced osteogenic activity of PDLSCs. Conclusion : our findings suggest that the bioadhesive PDA stimulates osteogenic differentiation of PDLSCs via activation of the integrin α5/β1 and PI3K signaling pathways.

Hesperetin (3′,5,7-trihydroxy-4-methoxyflavanone) is a metabolite of hesperidin (hesperetin-7-O-rutinoside), which belongs to the flavanone subgroup and is found mainly in citrus fruits. Hesperetin has been reported to be an effective osteoinductive compound in various in vivo and in vitro models. However, how hesperetin effects osteogenic differentiation is not fully understood. In this study, we investigated the capacity of hesperetin to stimulate the osteogenic differentiation of periodontal ligament stem cells (PDLSCs) and to relieve the anti-osteogenic effect of high glucose. Osteogenesis of PDLSCs was assessed by measurement of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity, and evaluation of the mRNA expression of ALP, runt-related gene 2 (Runx2), osterix (OSX), and FRA1 as osteogenic transcription factors, as well as assessment of protein expression of osteopontin (OPN) and collagen type IA (COLIA). When PDLSCs were exposed to a high concentration (30 mM) of glucose, osteogenic activity decreased compared to control cells. Hesperetin significantly increased ALP activity at doses of 1, 10, and 100 µM. Pretreatment of cells with hesperetin alleviated the high-glucose-induced suppression of the osteogenic activity of PDLSCs. Hesperetin scavenged intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) produced under high glucose condition. Furthermore, hesperetin increased the activity of the PI3K/Akt and β-catenin pathways. Consistent with this, blockage of Akt or β-catenin diminished the protective effect of hesperetin against high glucose-inhibited osteogenic differentiation. Collectively, our results suggest that hesperetin alleviates the high glucose-mediated suppression of osteogenic differentiation in PDLSCs by regulating ROS levels and the PI3K/Akt and β-catenin signaling pathways.

Simvastatin, an inhibitor of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase, has been known to reduce cholesterol biosynthesis. However, recent studies demonstrate that simvastatin shows diverse cholesterol-independent functions including cellular differentiation. In this study, we investigated the stimulatory effect of simvastatin on the osteogenic differentiation of mouse embryonic stem cells (ESCs). The osteogenic effect of simvastatin was observed at relatively low doses (ranging from 1 nM to 200 nM). Incubation of ESCs in simvastatin-supplemented osteogenic medium significantly increased alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity at day 7. The matrix mineralization was also augmented and demonstrated pivotal levels after 14 days incubation of simvastatin. Osteogenic differentiation of ESCs by simvastatin was determined by upregulation of the mRNA expression of runtrelated gene 2 (Runx2), osterix (OSX), and osteocalcin (OCN) as osteogenic transcription factors. Moreover, the increased protein expression of OCN, osteopontin (OPN), and collagen type I (Coll I) was assessed using Western blot analysis and immunocytochemistry. However, the blockage of canonical Wnt signaling by DKK-1 downregulated simvastatin-induced ALP activity and the mRNA expression of each osteogenic transcription factor. Furthermore, the β-catenin specific siRNA transfection decreased the protein levels of OCN, OPN, and Coll I. Collectively, these findings suggest that simvastatin enhances the differentiation of ESCs toward osteogenic lineage through activation of canonical Wnt/β-catenin signaling.