OBJECTIVE

In this study, we aimed to explore the mechanism underlying microRNA-20a (miR-20a) in viability, migration and osteogenic/odontoblastic differentiation of dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs).

DESIGN

The results of Targetscan unveiled that interleukin (IL)- 8 might bind to miR-20a, which was confirmed by dual-luciferase reporter assay. MiR-20a expression was up-regulated or down-regulated in DPSCs, followed by measurement of cell viability and migration via MTT and wound healing assays. Then, IL-8 was over-expressed in miR-20a mimic-transfected DPSCs with or without nuclear factor (NF)-κB inhibitor. The effect of miR-20a on osteogenic/odontoblastic differentiation potential of DPSCs was determined by alkaline phosphatase and alizarin red S staining. The expression levels of IL-8, osteogenic differentiation indicators and NF-κB/p65 signaling pathway in cells were detected through quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) or western blot RESULTS: Contrary to the down-regulated miR-20a, up-regulated miR-20a not only reinforced the viability and migration of DPSCs, but also promoted cell osteogenic/odontoblastic differentiation potential and related gene expressions (alkaline phosphatase, osteocalcin, and dentin sialophosphoprotein (DSPP)). Furthermore, IL-8 was verified to be the target of miR-20a. IL-8 over-expression effectively suppressed the osteogenic/odontoblastic differentiation potential as well as inhibited the activation of NF-κB pathway in DPSCs induced by miR-20a mimic, but these effects could be counteracted by NF-κB inhibitor.

CONCLUSION

MiR-20a up-regulation accelerated the viability, migration and osteogenic/odontoblastic differentiation potential of DPSCs by regulating NF-κB/p65 signaling pathway via targeting IL-8, which might be a potential treatment target for dental diseases.