Wnt/β-Catenin Signaling Inhibits Osteogenic Differentiation in Human Periodontal Ligament Fibroblasts

Abstract

The periodontal ligament is a collagenous tissue that is important for maintaining the homeostasis of cementum and alveolar bone. In tendon cells, Wnt/β-catenin signaling has been reported to regulate the expression level of Scleraxis (Scx) and Mohawk Homeobox (Mkx) gene and maintain the tissue homeostasis, while its role in the periodontal ligament is unclear. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of Wnt/β-catenin signaling induced by Wnt-3a stimulation on the inhibition of osteogenic differentiation of human periodontal ligament fibroblasts (HPLFs). During osteogenic differentiation of HPLFs, they formed bone nodules independently of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity. After stimulation of Wnt-3a, the expression of β-catenin increased, and nuclear translocation of β-catenin was observed. These data indicate that Wnt-3a activated Wnt/β-catenin signaling. Furthermore, the stimulation of Wnt-3a inhibited the bone nodule formation and suppressed the expression of osteogenic differentiation-related genes such as Runx2, Osteopontin and Osteocalcin, and upregulated the gene expression of Type-I collagen and Periostin (Postn). Scx may be involved in the suppression of osteogenic differentiation in HPLFs. In conclusion, Wnt/β-catenin signaling may be an important signaling pathway that inhibits the osteogenic differentiation in HPLFs by the upregulation of Scx gene expression and downregulation of osteogenic differentiation-related genes.

Pentamidine-loaded gelatin decreases adhesion formation of flexor tendon

“…In addition, Wnt11 also plays an important role in cell–cell adhesion [ [54] , [55] , [56] ]. Besides cell adhesion, the Wnt pathway was reported to suppress tenogenic genes of Scx, Mkx, and Tnmd [ 57 , 58 ]. Supressing the Wnt pathway was shown to reduce peritenous scars and improve tendon biomechanical functions [ [59] , [60] , [61] ].…”