Mechanical Signaling in Dental Pulp Stem Cells.

Dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs) are a type of mesenchymal stem cells derived from dental pulp that serves as an important model for investigating biological regeneration. DPSCs have a multipotent differentiation capacity and can promote different biological processes, including osteogenesis, odontogenesis, chondrogenesis, and angiogenesis. These biological processes are regulated by an extensive range of intra- and extra-cellular factors.

FGF19 induces the cell cycle arrest at G2-phase in chondrocytes.

Fibroblast growth factor 19 (FGF19) has appeared as a new possible avenue in the treatment of skeletal metabolic disorders. However, the role of FGF19 on cell cycle progression in skeletal system is poorly understood. Here we demonstrated that FGF19 had the ability to reduce the proliferation of chondrocytes and cause cell cycle G2 phase arrest through its interaction with β-Klotho (KLB), an important accessory protein that helps FGF19 link to its receptor.

Fibroblast growth factor 8 facilitates cell-cell communication in chondrocytes via p38-MAPK signaling.

Gap junction intercellular communication (GJIC) is essential for regulating the development of the organism and sustaining the internal environmental homeostasis of multi-cellular tissue. Fibroblast growth factor 8 (FGF8), an indispensable regulator of the skeletal system, is implicated in regulating chondrocyte growth, differentiation, and disease occurrence. However, the influence of FGF8 on GJIC in chondrocytes is not yet known.

LncRNA CARMN facilitates odontogenic differentiation of dental pulp cells by impairing EZH2.

Objective: This study aimed to reveal the potential role of CARMN in odontogenic differentiation of dental pulp cells (DPCs).

Methods: Laser capture microdissection was used to detect Carmn in DPCs and odontoblasts in P0 mice. After manipulating CARMN expression in odontogenic differentiation induced hDPCs, the state of odontogenic differentiation was evaluated by ALP staining, ARS, and related marker expression in qRT-PCR and western blotting.

FGF19 increases mitochondrial biogenesis and fusion in chondrocytes via the AMPKα-p38/MAPK pathway.

Fibroblast growth factor 19 (FGF19) is recognized to play an essential role in cartilage development and physiology, and has emerged as a potential therapeutic target for skeletal metabolic diseases. However, FGF19-mediated cellular behavior in chondrocytes remains a big challenge. In the current study, we aimed to investigate the role of FGF19 on chondrocytes by characterizing mitochondrial biogenesis and fission-fusion dynamic equilibrium and exploring the underlying mechanism.

Microenvironmental Stiffness Directs Chondrogenic Lineages of Stem Cells from the Human Apical Papilla Cooperation between ROCK and Smad3 Signaling.

Cell-based cartilage tissue engineering faces a great challenge in the repair process, partly due to the special physical microenvironment. Human stem cell from apical papilla (hSCAP) shows great potential as seed cells because of its versatile differentiation capacity. However, whether hSCAP has potent chondrogenic differentiation ability in the physical microenvironment of chondroid remains unknown.

IL-10 enhances cell-to-cell communication in chondrocytes via STAT3 signaling pathway.

Gap junction intercellular communication (GJIC) allows the transfer of material, message and energy between cells, which influences cell behaviors including cell proliferation, migration, differentiation and apoptosis and determines cell fate. Interleukin-10 (IL-10), a versatile cytokine, attracts more and more attention in the cartilage pathology such as osteoarthritis (OA) due to its potential in anti-inflammation and wound repair. However, whether IL-10 can mediate GJIC in chondrocytes remains elusive.

SDF-1α Promotes Chondrocyte Autophagy through CXCR4/mTOR Signaling Axis.

SDF-1α, the most common isoform of stromal cell-derived factor 1, has shown vital effects in regulating chondrocyte proliferation, maturation, and chondrogenesis. Autophagy is a highly conserved biological process to help chondrocytes survive in harsh environments. However, the effect of SDF-1α on chondrocyte autophagy is still unknown.

TGF-β3 enhances cell-to-cell communication in chondrocytes via the ALK5/p-Smad3 axis.

Gap junctional intercellular communication (GJIC) is indispensable for the maintenance of physiological balance in articular cartilage. Transforming growth factor-β3 (TGF-β3), an important growth factor of TGF-β superfamily, is well recognized to play a unique regulatory role in cartilage development and diseases. However, the role of TGF-β3 in GJIC in adult chondrocytes remains elusive.

Co-culture with osteoblasts up-regulates glycolysis of chondrocytes through MAPK/HIF-1 pathway.

It is well recognized that the neighbor location between cartilage layer and subchondral bone facilitates the intercellular communication and material exchange. However, the evidence that demonstrates the influence of direct communication between cartilage and subchondral bone on their cell behaviors are still partially unknown. In the current study, we established a co-culture system of chondrocytes and osteoblasts aiming to explore the changes of intracellular metabolism of chondrocytes induced by osteoblasts.

Osteoblasts induce glucose-derived ATP perturbations in chondrocytes through noncontact communication.

Cartilage and subchondral bone communicate with each other through material and signal exchanges. However, direct evidence provided by experimental studies on their interactions is insufficient. In the present study, we establish a noncontact co-culture model with a transwell chamber to explore the energetic perturbations in chondrocytes influenced by osteoblasts.

Microenvironmental stiffness mediates cytoskeleton re-organization in chondrocytes through laminin-FAK mechanotransduction.

Microenvironmental biophysical factors play a fundamental role in controlling cell behaviors including cell morphology, proliferation, adhesion and differentiation, and even determining the cell fate. Cells are able to actively sense the surrounding mechanical microenvironment and change their cellular morphology to adapt to it. Although cell morphological changes have been considered to be the first and most important step in the interaction between cells and their mechanical microenvironment, their regulatory network is not completely clear.

Runx1 protects against the pathological progression of osteoarthritis.

Runt-related transcription factor-1 (Runx1) is required for chondrocyte-to-osteoblast lineage commitment by enhancing both chondrogenesis and osteogenesis during vertebrate development. However, the potential role of Runx1 in joint diseases is not well known. In the current study, we aimed to explore the role of Runx1 in osteoarthritis induced by anterior cruciate ligament transaction (ACLT) surgery.

TGF-β2 increases cell-cell communication in chondrocytes via p-Smad3 signalling.

Connexin 43 (Cx43)-mediated gap junction intercellular communication (GJIC) plays a crucial role in the pathology and physiology of joint tissues. Transforming growth factor-β2 (TGF-β2), one of the potent regulatory factors in chondrocytes, plays a key role in the regulation of cell cycle and development of joint diseases. However, it is still unknown how TGF-β2 mediates GJIC in chondrocytes.

Osteoblasts impair cholesterol synthesis in chondrocytes via Notch1 signalling.

Objectives: Previous reports have proposed the importance of signalling and material exchange between cartilage and subchondral bone. However, the specific experimental evidence is still insufficient to support the effect of this interdependent relationship on mutual cell behaviours. In this study, we aimed to investigate cellular lipid metabolism in chondrocytes induced by osteoblasts.

Insulin-like growth factor 1 promotes neural differentiation of human stem cells from the apical papilla.

Objective: Insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF1) is one of the vital factors in regenerative endodontics. Previous studies have focused on the role of IGF1 in the mineralization of dental tissues. However, the role of IGF1 in the neural differentiation of dental stem cells was little discussed.

PDGF-AA promotes cell-to-cell communication in osteocytes through PI3K/Akt signaling pathway.

Osteocytes are the main sensitive cells in bone remodeling due to their potent functional cell processes from the mineralized bone matrix to the bone surface and the bone marrow. Neighboring osteocytes communicate with each other by these cell processes to achieve molecular exchange through gap junction channels. Platelet-derived growth factor-AA (PDGF-AA) has been reported to enhance bone tissue remodeling by promoting cell proliferation, migration, and autocrine secretion in osteoid cell linage.

[The Roles of RUNX1 in the Proliferation and Osteogenic and Adipogenic Differentiation of Dental Pulp Stem Cells].

Objective: To investigate the influence of Runt-related transcription factor 1 (RUNX1) on the proliferation, osteogenic differentiation and adipogenic differentiation of dental pulp stem cells (DPSC) .

Methods: DPSCs were transfected through lentiviral vector carrying the target gene and green fluorescent protein (GFP). After 48 h, transfection efficiency was determined with the fluorescent marking of GFP and Western blot.

ATP-Dependent Chromatin Remodeling Complex in the Lineage Specification of Mesenchymal Stem Cells.

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) present in multiple tissues can self-renew and differentiate into multiple lineages including the bone, cartilage, muscle, cardiac tissue, and connective tissue. Key events, including cell proliferation, lineage commitment, and MSC differentiation, are ensured by precise gene expression regulation. ATP-dependent chromatin alteration is one form of epigenetic modifications that can regulate the transcriptional level of specific genes by utilizing the energy from ATP hydrolysis to reorganize chromatin structure.

Disturbed bone remodelling activity varies in different stages of experimental, gradually progressive apical periodontitis in rats.

Bone remodelling keeps going through the lifespan of human by bone formation and bone resorption. In the craniofacial region, mandibles act as the main force for biting and chewing, and also become susceptible to a common bone-loss disease, namely, apical periodontitis, once infected dental pulp is not treated timely, during which bone resorption occurs from the apical foramen to the apical bone area. Although conventional root canal treatment (RCT) can remove the most of the infection, chronical apical periodontitis due to incomplete removal of dental pulp and subsequent microleakage will become refractory and more challenging, and this process has scarcely been specifically studied as a bone remodelling issue in rat models.

[Preliminary study of assessment of mental health level among oral tumor patients and difference of relevant material basis].

Objective: To investigate the difference in mental health status of oral tumor patients and their spouses, and explore the differences on the basis of relevant materials.

Methods: Forty patients with oral cancer, eighteen spouses, and thirty-five patients with oral benign tumor were diagnosed in the West China Hospital of Stomatology between December 2011 and August 2012 and assessed with symptom checklist-90 (SCL90) (the 5-grade scoring). Participants were assessed independently according to their conditions.

[Assessment of mental health status in oral squamous cell carcinoma patients and its correlation with catecholamines level].

Purpose: To investigate the relationship between mental health status and catecholamines level in oral squamous cell carcinoma patients.

Methods: Forty patients with oral squamous carcinoma (OSCC) who were diagnosed in West China School of Stomatology between Dec. 2011 and Aug.