Ibandronate promotes osteogenic differentiation of periodontal ligament stem cells by regulating the expression of microRNAs.
Bisphosphonates (BPs) have a profound effect on bone resorption and are widely used to treat osteoclast-mediated bone diseases. They suppress bone resorption by inhibiting the activity of mature osteoclasts and/or the formation of new osteoclasts. Osteoblasts may be an alternative target for BPs. Periodontal ligament stem cells (PDLSCs) exhibit osteoblast-like features and are capable of differentiating into osteoblasts or cementoblasts. This study aimed to determine the effects of ibandronate, a nitrogen-containing BP, on the proliferation and the differentiation of PDLSCs and to identify the microRNAs (miRNAs) that mediate these effects. The PDLSCs were treated with ibandronate, and cell proliferation was measured using the MTT (3-dimethylthiazol-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) assay. The expression of genes and miRNAs involved in osteoblastic differentiation was assayed using quantitative real-time reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). Ibandronate promoted the proliferation of PDLSCs and enhanced the expression of alkaline phosphatase (ALP), type I collagen (COL-1), osteoprotegerin (OPG), osteocalcin (OCN), and Runx2. The expression of miRNAs, including miR-18a, miR-133a, miR-141 and miR-19a, was significantly altered in the PDLSCs cultured with ibandronate. In PDLSCs, ibandronate regulates the expression of diverse bone formation-related genes via miRNAs. The exact mechanism underlying the role of ibandronate in osteoblasts has not been completely understood. Ibandronate may suppress the activity of osteoclasts while promoting the proliferation of osteoblasts by regulating the expression of miRNAs.
Department of General Dentistry and Emergency, College of Stomatology, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710032, China.
Qiang
Q
Zhou
Zhi-Ning
ZN
Zhao
Jing-Tao
JT
Cheng
Bin
B
Zhang
Jie
J
Xu
Fei
F
Huang
Rui-Ni
RN
Zhao
Yong-Jin
YJ
Chen
D050071:Bone Density Conservation Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000187:drug effects*; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D002648:Child; D004164:Diphosphonates / Q000494:pharmacology*; D015870:Gene Expression / Q000187:drug effects; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D006801:Humans; D000077557:Ibandronic Acid; D035683:MicroRNAs / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D010012:Osteogenesis / Q000187:drug effects*; D010513:Periodontal Ligament / Q000166:cytology* / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D013234:Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology
D050071:Bone Density Conservation Agents; D004164:Diphosphonates; D035683:MicroRNAs; D000077557:Ibandronic Acid