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Promotive Effect of Zinc Ions on the Vitality, Migration, and Osteogenic Differentiation of Human Dental Pulp Cells

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Abstract

Zinc is an essential trace element for proper cellular function and bone formation. However, its exact role in the osteogenic differentiation of human dental pulp cells (hDPCs) has not been fully clarified before. Here, we speculated that zinc may be effective to regulate their growth and osteogenic differentiation properties. To test this hypothesis, different concentrations (1 × 10−5, 4 × 10−5, and 8 × 10−5 M) of zinc ions (Zn2+) were added to the basic growth culture medium and osteogenic inductive medium. Cell viability and migration were measured by cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) and transwell migration assay in the basic growth culture medium, respectively. The reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) was used to detect the gene expression levels of selective osteogenic differentiation markers and zinc transporters. Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity analysis and alizarin red S staining were used to investigate the mineralization of hDPCs. Exposure of hDPCs to Zn2+ stimulated their viability and migration capacity in a dose- and time-dependent manner. RT-qPCR assay revealed elevated expression levels of osteogenic differentiation-related genes and zinc transporters genes in various degrees. ALP activity was also increased with elevated Zn2+ concentrations and extended culture periods, but enhanced matrix nodules formation were observed only in 4 × 10−5 and 8 × 10−5 M Zn2+ groups. These findings suggest that specific concentrations of Zn2+ could potentiate the vitality, migration, and osteogenic differentiation of hDPCs. We may combine optimum zinc element into pulp capping materials to improve their biological performance.

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Acknowledgments

This study was partially supported by the Guangdong Natural Science Foundation (grant no. S2012040007041) and Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities (grant no. 16ykpy01).

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  1. Department of Operative Dentistry and Endodontics, Guanghua School of Stomatology, Hospital of Stomatology, Sun Yat-sen University, No.56 Lingyuan Xi Road, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510055, People’s Republic of China

    Shaofeng An, Qimei Gong & Yihua Huang

  2. Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Stomatology, Sun Yat-Sen University, No.74 Zhongshan Er Road, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510080, People’s Republic of China

    Shaofeng An, Qimei Gong & Yihua Huang

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  1. Shaofeng An
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Correspondence to Shaofeng An.

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The protocol for the isolation and culture of hDPCs was approved by the Ethics Committee of Guanghua School of Stomatology, Sun Yat-sen University. Healthy subjects undergoing orthodontic treatment were recruited for the isolation of hDPCs.

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An, S., Gong, Q. & Huang, Y. Promotive Effect of Zinc Ions on the Vitality, Migration, and Osteogenic Differentiation of Human Dental Pulp Cells. Biol Trace Elem Res 175, 112–121 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12011-016-0763-7

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