Melatonin promotes hepatic differentiation of human dental pulp stem cells: clinical implications for the prevention of liver fibrosis

Abstract

Melatonin's effect on hepatic differentiation of stem cells remains unclear. The aim of this study was to investigate the action of melatonin on hepatic differentiation as well as its related signaling pathways of human dental pulp stem cells (hDPSCs) and to examine the therapeutic effects of a combination of melatonin and hDPSC transplantation on carbon tetrachloride (CCl4 )-induced liver fibrosis in mice. In vitro hepatic differentiation was assessed by periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) staining and mRNA expression for hepatocyte markers. Liver fibrosis model was established by injecting 0.5 mL/kg CCl4 followed by treatment with melatonin (5 mg/kg, twice a week) and hDPSCs. In vivo therapeutic effects were evaluated by histopathology and by means of liver function tests including measurement of alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST), and ammonia levels. Melatonin promoted hepatic differentiation based on mRNA expression of differentiation markers and PAS-stained glycogen-laden cells. In addition, melatonin increased bone morphogenic protein (BMP)-2 expression and Smad1/5/8 phosphorylation, which was blocked by the BMP antagonist noggin. Furthermore, melatonin activated p38, extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), and nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) in hDPSCs. Melatonin-induced hepatic differentiation was attenuated by inhibitors of BMP, p38, ERK, and NF-κB. Compared to treatment of CCl4 -injured mice with either melatonin or hDPSC transplantation alone, the combination of melatonin and hDPSC significantly suppressed liver fibrosis and restored ALT, AST, and ammonia levels. For the first time, this study demonstrates that melatonin promotes hepatic differentiation of hDPSCs by modulating the BMP, p38, ERK, and NF-κB pathway. Combined treatment of grafted hDPSCs and melatonin could be a viable approach for the treatment of liver cirrhosis.

Effects of Melatonin on Liver Injuries and Diseases

“…Moreover, treatment with melatonin greatly decreased the MDA level and improved GSH-Px activity in the liver [149]. Additionally, a combination of melatonin and human dental pulp stem cells transplantation (hDPSCs) were better at suppressing liver fibrosis and restoring ALT, AST, and ammonia levels in the group of CCl 4 -injured mice than treatment with melatonin or hDPSCs alone [150]. …”

Melatonin promotes development of haploid germ cells from early developing spermatogenic cells of Suffolk sheep under in vitro condition

“…Melatonin has been known as a pleiotropic molecule. It is a potent free radical scavenger and antioxidant , and it also regulates cell proliferation and differentiation . Both melatonin membrane receptors 1 (MT1) and 2 (MT2) are G protein‐coupled receptors and regulate the activation of adenylate cyclase (AC) and phospholipase C (PLC) .…”

Potential benefits of melatonin in organ transplantation: a review

“…Because of this, a recent study tested the benefits of this treatment and melatonin (5 mg/kg i.p. twice a week) against liver cirrhosis (Cho et al 2015). The authors observed a dose-and time-dependent relationship between melatonin and hepatic markers such as Alb, cytokeratin-18 (Ck18), CCAAT box enhancer-binding protein α (C/Ebpα), and hepatic nuclear factor-1α (Hnf1α).…”