Early gene regulation of osteogenesis in embryonic stem cells

TAZ promotes osteogenic differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells line C3H10T1/2, murine multi-lineage cells lines C2C12, and MEFs induced by BMP9

Bone morphogenetic protein 9 (BMP9), also named as growth differentiation factor 2 (GDF-2), is the strongest cytokine that promotes osteogenic differentiation in the BMP family, and has broad clinical application value. Nevertheless, the mechanism of BMP9 promotes osteogenic differentiation remain unclear. TAZ, a transcriptional co-activator, has great effects on cell proliferation, differentiation, and stem cell self-renewal. In this research, we investigated the effects of TAZ in BMP9-induced osteogenic differentiation of mesenchymal stem cell line C3H10T1/2 (MSCs) and murine multi-lineage cell lines C2C12 and MEFs (MMCs) and explored its possible mechanisms. This study has found that BMP9 induces the expression of TAZ and promotes its nuclear translocation. Meanwhile, our study found that Ad-TAZ and TM-25659, a TAZ agonist, can enhance the osteogenic differentiation of MSCs and MMCs induced by BMP9. Conversely, Ad-si-TAZ and verteporfin, an inhibitor of TAZ, have the contradictory effect. Likewise, the promotion of TAZ to the BMP9-induced ectopic bone formation in vivo was confirmed by the subcutaneous transplantation of MSCs in nude mice. Furthermore, we have detected that TAZ might increase the levels of the phosphorylation of Smad1/5/8, p38, ERK1/2, and JNK induced by BMP9. Additionally, we also found that TAZ increased the total protein level of β-catenin induced by BMP9. In summary, our results strongly indicated that TAZ will promote the osteogenic differentiation in MSCs and MMCs induced by BMP9 through multiple signal pathways.

Calcitriol and enamel matrix derivative differentially regulated cemento-induction and mineralization in human periodontal ligament-derived cells

BACKGROUND

Alveolar bone and cementum share many biological and developmental similarities. The mineralizing effect of calcitriol has been previously reported. Yet, its cemento-inductivity has not been confirmed. This study evaluated the potential cemento-inductivity effect of calcitriol and enamel matrix derivative (EMD) on human periodontal ligament-derived cells (hPDLCs).

METHODS

The hPDLCs obtained from extracted third molars or premolars were cultured with calcitriol, or EMD. Cementogenic gene expression was examined using real-time quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. Expression analysis also included cementoblast-specific markers, cementum protein 1 (CEMP1), cementum attachment protein (CAP), and recently reported cementoblast-enriched genes, secreted frizzled related protein 1 (SFRP1), and Dickkopf-related protein 1 (DKK1). Mineralization capacities were evaluated by alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity, Alizarin Red, and Von Kossa staining followed by scanning electron microscope imaging and element mapping.

RESULTS

Among tested conditions, 10 nM calcitriol enhanced most cementogenic gene expression, transforming growth factor-β1, bone morphogenetic proteins (BMP-2 and BMP-4), core-binding factor subunit alpha-1/Runt-related transcription factor 2, Type I collagen, ALP, bone sialoprotein, osteopontin), osteocalcin, CEMP1, and CAP, and Wnt signaling negative modulators, SFRP1 and DKK1, along with highest ALP activity and mineralization formation in hPDLCs. However, only moderate CEMP1 protein was observed. In contrast, EMD stimulated stronger CEMP1 and CAP protein, but presented weaker mineralization capacity, hinting at the possibility that strong stimulation of mineralization might dominate cemetogenic specific factors and vice versa.

CONCLUSIONS

Calcitriol demonstrated not only great osteoinductivity, but also the potential to induce cementogenic gene expression by initiating hPDLC differentiation and promoting mineralization. Compared with calcitriol, EMD promoted cemento-inductivity in hPDLCs at a later time point via highly expressed CEMP1 and CAP protein, but with less mineralization. Thus, calcitriol and EMD could provide differential enhancement of cemento-induction and mineralization, likely acting at various differentiation stages.