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Wnt/β-catenin signaling enhances osteoblastogenic differentiation from human periodontal ligament fibroblasts

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Molecules and Cells

Abstract

Wnt/β-catenin signaling has been known to influence bone formation and homeostasis. In this study, we investigated the canonical Wnt signaling regulation of osteogenic differentiation from periodontal ligament (PDL) fibroblasts. Stimulating PDL fibroblasts with lithium chloride (LiCl), a canonical Wnt activator, significantly increased mineralized nodule and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity in a time- and dose-dependent manner. LiCl up-regulated protein expression of osteogenic transcription factors, including the runt-related gene 2, Msx2, and Osterix 2, in the PDL fibroblasts. Treatment of these cells with LiCl also increased the mRNA levels of ALP, FosB, and Fra1 in a dose-dependent manner. Blockage of canonical Wnt signaling by treating the cells with DKK1 inhibited Wnt1-stimulated mRNA expression of these osteogenic factors. Furthermore, pretreatment with DKK1 reduced the ALP activity and matrix mineralization stimulated by Wnt1. Collectively, these results suggest that canonical Wnt signaling leads to the differentiation of PDL fibroblasts into osteogenic lineage with the attendant stimulation of osteogenic transcription factors.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Maxillofacial Biomedical Engineering and Institute of Oral Biology, School of Dentistry, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, 130-701, Korea

    Jung Sun Heo

  2. Department of Dentistry, Gangneung-Wonju National University, Gangwon, 210-702, Korea

    Seung-Youp Lee

  3. Institute of Oral Biosciences and School of Dentistry (Brain Korea 21 Program), Chonbuk National University, Jeonju, 561-756, Korea

    Jeong-Chae Lee

  4. Department of Bioactive Material Sciences and Research Center of Bioactive Materials, Chonbuk National University, Jeonju, 561-756, Korea

    Jeong-Chae Lee

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  1. Jung Sun Heo
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  2. Seung-Youp Lee
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Correspondence to Jeong-Chae Lee.

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Heo, J.S., Lee, SY. & Lee, JC. Wnt/β-catenin signaling enhances osteoblastogenic differentiation from human periodontal ligament fibroblasts. Mol Cells 30, 449–454 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10059-010-0139-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10059-010-0139-3

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