Escobar LM, Escobar JD, Bendahan Z, Castellanos JE. Retinoic and ascorbic acids induce osteoblast differentiation from human dental pulp mesenchymal stem cells.
J Oral Biol Craniofac Res 2021;
11:143-148. [PMID:
33537186 DOI:
10.1016/j.jobcr.2021.01.002]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2020] [Accepted: 01/01/2021] [Indexed: 10/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Previous studies have suggested an important role of retinoic acid (RA) and ascorbic acid (AA) in the stimulation of osteoblastic differentiation; however, the function of RA and AA in the osteogenic differentiation from human dental pulp (hDPSCs) remains unclear.
Objective
This in vitro study investigated the effects of RA and AA on the differentiation of osteoblast from hDPSCs.
Methods
hDPSCs were treated with different doses of RA and AA, separately or in combination (RA + AA). Morphology and cell proliferation were assessed. Osteoblast differentiation was evaluated by alizarin red, alkaline phosphatase staining, and RUNX2 gene expression.
Results
A significant reduction was observed in the number of cells treated with RA (26%) and RA + AA (30%) after 12 days of treatment. AA treatment alone induced a 12% reduction in the number of cells. Morphologically, the cells treated with RA and RA + AA were larger and more elongated than the control cells. A mesh pattern was observed in cells treated with AA. Numerous calcified nodules were present in cells treated with RA, AA, and RA + AA. This coincided with increased expression of RUNX2 and high alkaline phosphatase staining levels.
Conclusions
hDPSCs treated with RA and RA + AA showed significant reduction in proliferation, detectable morphological changes, and expression of the key differentiation gene RUNX2, consistent with an osteoblast phenotype. AA induced morphological changes and early formation of calcified nodules. RA had a predominant effect when AA and RA were used together.
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