The cementogenic differentiation of periodontal ligament cells via the activation of Wnt/β-catenin signalling pathway by Li+ ions released from bioactive scaffolds.
Lithium (Li) has been widely used as a long-term mood stabilizer in the treatment of bipolar and depressive disorders. Li(+) ions are thought to enhance the remyelination of peripheral nerves and also stimulate the proliferation of neural progenitor cells and retinoblastoma cells via activation of the Wnt/β-catenin signalling pathway. Until now there have been no studies reporting the biological effects of released Li(+) in bioactive scaffolds on cemetogenesis in periodontal tissue engineering applications. In this study, we incorporated parts of Li(+) ions into the mesoporous bioactive glass (MBG) scaffolds and showed that this approach yielded scaffolds with a favourable composition, microstructure and mesopore properties for cell attachment, proliferation, and cementogenic differentiation of human periodontal ligament-derived cells (hPDLCs). We went on to investigate the biological effects of Li(+) ions themselves on cell proliferation and cementogenic differentiation. The results showed that 5% Li(+) ions incorporated into MBG scaffolds enhanced the proliferation and cementogenic differentiation of hPDLCs on scaffolds, most likely via activation of Wnt/β-catenin signalling pathway. Further study demonstrated that Li(+) ions by themselves significantly enhanced the proliferation, differentiation and cementogenic gene expression of PDLCs. Our results indicate that incorporation of Li(+) ions into bioactive scaffolds is a viable means of enhancing the Wnt canonical signalling pathway to stimulate cementogenic differentiation of PDLCs.
Institute of Health & Biomedical Innovation, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Queensland 4059, Australia.
Pingping
P
Han
Chengtie
C
Wu
Jiang
J
Chang
Yin
Y
Xiao
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000469:Alkaline Phosphatase / Q000378:metabolism; D001672:Biocompatible Materials / Q000737:chemistry*; D002118:Calcium / Q000378:metabolism; D002448:Cell Adhesion / Q000187:drug effects; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000187:drug effects*; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects; D048430:Cell Shape / Q000187:drug effects; D003470:Culture Media / Q000737:chemistry; D003739:Dental Cementum / Q000166:cytology* / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation / Q000187:drug effects; D005898:Glass; D053823:Hedgehog Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007477:Ions; D008094:Lithium / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D046529:Microscopy, Electron, Transmission; D009928:Organ Specificity / Q000187:drug effects; D010513:Periodontal Ligament / Q000166:cytology* / Q000187:drug effects / Q000201:enzymology / Q000648:ultrastructure; D016062:Porosity; D054457:Tissue Scaffolds / Q000737:chemistry*; D060449:Wnt Signaling Pathway / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000235:genetics; D055815:Young Adult
D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D003470:Culture Media; D053823:Hedgehog Proteins; D007477:Ions; D008094:Lithium; D000469:Alkaline Phosphatase; D002118:Calcium