Notch signaling regulates mineralization via microRNA modulation in dental pulp stem cells.

Objectives: This study investigated the miRNA expression profile in Notch-activated human dental stem pulp stem cells (DPSCs) and validated the functions of miRNAs in modulating the odonto/osteogenic properties of DPSCs.

Methods: DPSCs were treated with indirect immobilized Jagged1. The miRNA expression profile was examined using NanoString analysis. Bioinformatic analysis was performed, and miRNA expression was validated. Odonto/osteogenic differentiation was examined using alkaline phosphatase staining, Alizarin Red S staining, as well as odonto/osteogenic-related gene and protein expression.

Results: Fourteen miRNAs were differentially expressed in Jagged1-treated DPSCs. Pathway analysis revealed that altered miRNAs were associated with TGF-β, Hippo, ErbB signalling pathways, FoxO and Ras signalling. Target prediction analysis demonstrated that 7604 genes were predicted to be targets for these altered miRNAs. Enrichment analysis revealed relationships to various DNA bindings. Among differentially expressed miRNA, miR-296-3p and miR-450b-5p were upregulated under Jagged1-treated conditions. Overexpression of miR-296-3p and miR-450b-5p enhanced mineralization and upregulation of odonto/osteogenic-related genes, whereas inhibition of these miRNAs revealed opposing results. The miR-296-3p and miR-450b-5p inhibitors attenuated the effects of Jagged1-induced mineralization in DPSCs.

Conclusions: Jagged-1 promotes mineralization in DPSCs that are partially regulated by miRNA. The novel understanding of these miRNAs could lead to innovative controlled mechanisms that can be applied to modulate biology-targeted dental materials.