Effect of connective tissue growth factor (CCN2/CTGF) on proliferation and differentiation of mouse periodontal ligament-derived cells.
BACKGROUND
CCN2/CTGF is known to be involved in tooth germ development and periodontal tissue remodeling, as well as in mesenchymal tissue development and regeneration. In this present study, we investigated the roles of CCN2/CTGF in the proliferation and differentiation of periodontal ligament cells (murine periodontal ligament-derived cell line: MPL) in vitro.


RESULTS
In cell cultures of MPL, the mRNA expression of the CCN2/CTGF gene was stronger in sparse cultures than in confluent ones and was significantly enhanced by TGF-beta. The addition of recombinant CCN2/CTGF (rCCN2) to MPL cultures stimulated DNA synthesis and cell growth in a dose-dependent manner. Moreover, rCCN2 addition also enhanced the mRNA expression of alkaline phosphatase (ALPase), type I collagen, and periostin, the latter of which is considered to be a specific marker of the periosteum and periodontium; whereas it showed little effect on the mRNA expression of typical osteoblastic markers, e.g., osteopontin and osteocalcin. Finally, rCCN2/CTGF also stimulated ALPase activity and collagen synthesis.


CONCLUSIONS
These results taken together suggest important roles of CCN2/CTGF in the development and regeneration of periodontal tissue including the periodontal ligament.
Asano
Masahiro
M
Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Dentistry, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama, Japan. asanoma@dent.tokushima-u.ac.jp
Kubota
Satoshi
S
Nakanishi
Tohru
T
Nishida
Takashi
T
Yamaai
Tomoichiro
T
Yosimichi
Gen
G
Ohyama
Kazumi
K
Sugimoto
Tomosada
T
Murayama
Yoji
Y
Takigawa
Masaharu
M