title: Rac1 Regulates the Proliferation, Adhesion, Migration, and Differentiation of MDPC-23 Cells.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Stem cells are responsible for replacing damaged pulp tissue; therefore, promoting their survival and inducing their adhesion to dentin are vital. As a member of the Rho family of guanosine triphosphatases, Rac1 is an important regulator of osteoblast functions. However, little is known about its role in regenerative endodontic procedures. The current study examined the role of Rac1 in the proliferation, migration, and odontoblastic differentiation of MDPC-23 cells.
  
  
  METHODS
  MDPC-23 cells were transfected with small interfering RNA to knock down Rac1 expression, and then their proliferation, migration, adhesion, and odontoblastic differentiation were examined in vitro.
  
  
  RESULTS
  MDPC-23 cells transfected with si-Rac1 exhibited the increased expression of several key odontogenic protein markers, including Dmp1, Dspp, Runx2, and alkaline phosphatase, as well as decreased proliferation and migration in vitro. The results suggest that Rac1 might regulate nuclear factor kappa B signaling in MDPC-23 cells.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Rac1 may have vital roles in the proliferation, migration, adhesion, and odontoblastic differentiation of MDPC-23 cells.
authors.affiliation: Department of Operative Dentistry and Endodontics, Guanghua School of Stomatology, Affiliated Stomatological Hospital, Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Stomatology, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Jing
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ren
authors.affiliation: Department of Prosthodontics, Guanghua School of Stomatology, Affiliated Stomatological Hospital, Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Stomatology, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Guobin
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Liang
authors.affiliation: Instrumental Analysis and Research Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Li
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Gong
authors.affiliation: Department of Operative Dentistry and Endodontics, Guanghua School of Stomatology, Affiliated Stomatological Hospital, Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Stomatology, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Bing
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Guo
authors.affiliation: Department of Operative Dentistry and Endodontics, Guanghua School of Stomatology, Affiliated Stomatological Hospital, Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Stomatology, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, People's Republic of China. Electronic address: jianghw@163.com.
authors.forename: Hongwei
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Jiang
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D015153:Blotting, Western; D002448:Cell Adhesion; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D002460:Cell Line; D002465:Cell Movement; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D003771:Dental Papilla / Q000166:cytology* / Q000502:physiology; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D051379:Mice; D009479:Neuropeptides / Q000502:physiology*; D020830:rac1 GTP-Binding Protein / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D009479:Neuropeptides; C484602:Rac1 protein, mouse; D020830:rac1 GTP-Binding Protein
keywords: Cell adhesion; MDPC-23 cells; Rac1; migration; nuclear factor kappa B; odontoblastic differentiation