The cementogenic differentiation of periodontal ligament cells via the activation of Wnt/β-catenin signalling pathway by Li+ ions released from bioactive scaffolds.

Abstract

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.

• Authors: Pingping Han, Chengtie Wu, Jiang Chang, Yin Xiao
• Journal: Biomaterials (Biomaterials) Vol. 33 Issue 27 Pg. 6370-9 (Sep 2012) ISSN: 1878-5905 [Electronic] Netherlands
• PMID: 22732362 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
• Copyright: Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Chemical References

• Biocompatible Materials
• Culture Media
• Hedgehog Proteins
• Ions
• Lithium
• Alkaline Phosphatase
• Calcium

Topics

• Adolescent
• Adult
• Alkaline Phosphatase (metabolism)
• Biocompatible Materials (chemistry)
• Calcium (metabolism)
• Cell Adhesion (drug effects)
• Cell Differentiation (drug effects)
• Cell Proliferation (drug effects)
• Cell Shape (drug effects)
• Culture Media (chemistry)
• Dental Cementum (cytology, drug effects, metabolism)
• Gene Expression Regulation (drug effects)
• Glass
• Hedgehog Proteins (metabolism)
• Humans
• Ions
• Lithium (pharmacology)
• Microscopy, Electron, Scanning
• Microscopy, Electron, Transmission
• Organ Specificity (drug effects)
• Periodontal Ligament (cytology, drug effects, enzymology, ultrastructure)
• Porosity
• Tissue Scaffolds (chemistry)
• Wnt Signaling Pathway (drug effects, genetics)
• Young Adult