Chen Chang, Yun Qiqi, Ran Juanli, Zhou Ziyao, Zhang Pengxiang, Li Rong
Department of Stomatology, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China.
PLoS One. 2025 Jun 26;20(6):e0326978. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0326978. eCollection 2025.
OBJECTIVE: This study investigated the interplay between Hippo-YAP and β-catenin signaling in regulating odontogenic differentiation of human dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs) and explored its potential implications for dentin-pulp regeneration. METHODS: Using lentivirus-mediated YAP overexpression/silencing, β-catenin siRNA knockdown, and pharmacological Wnt inhibition (via WIF-1), we assessed DPSC proliferation, migration, mineralization, and molecular markers (via qRT-PCR, immunofluorescence). In vivo validation employed subcutaneous transplantation of DPSC-seeded scaffolds in immunocompromised mice. RESULTS: YAP activation enhanced DPSC proliferation (1.44-fold), migration (1.39-fold), invasion (1.54-fold), and differentiation, as evidenced by elevated ALP activity (1.46-fold) and mineralization (1.36-fold). We observed transcriptional upregulation of odontogenic markers (RUNX2, DSPP, DMP1, OCN, ALP) and Wnt pathway components (β-catenin, Cyclin D1, c-Myc). Immunofluorescence revealed coordinated YAP and β-catenin expression patterns during differentiation. β-catenin silencing or Wnt inhibition abolished YAP-mediated functional enhancements and simultaneously suppressed YAP expression, partially confirming bidirectional regulation. In vivo, YAP-overexpressing DPSCs exhibited 1.27- to 1.62-fold induction of dentin-specific markers and β-catenin, whereas YAP silencing impaired these markers expression. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings demonstrate that coordinated YAP and β-catenin signaling drives DPSC odontogenesis, with potential implications for dentin regeneration. Although reciprocal regulation is evident, direct molecular interactions require further validation.
目的:本研究调查了Hippo-YAP和β-连环蛋白信号通路在调节人牙髓干细胞(DPSCs)牙源性分化中的相互作用,并探讨其对牙本质-牙髓再生的潜在影响。 方法:利用慢病毒介导的YAP过表达/沉默、β-连环蛋白siRNA敲低以及药理学Wnt抑制(通过WIF-1),我们评估了DPSC的增殖、迁移、矿化以及分子标志物(通过qRT-PCR、免疫荧光法)。体内验证采用将接种DPSC的支架皮下移植到免疫缺陷小鼠体内。 结果:YAP激活增强了DPSC的增殖(1.44倍)、迁移(1.39倍)、侵袭(1.54倍)和分化,碱性磷酸酶活性升高(1.46倍)和矿化增强(1.36倍)证明了这一点。我们观察到牙源性标志物(RUNX2、DSPP、DMP1、OCN、ALP)和Wnt通路成分(β-连环蛋白、细胞周期蛋白D1、c-Myc)的转录上调。免疫荧光显示分化过程中YAP和β-连环蛋白的表达模式相互协调。β-连环蛋白沉默或Wnt抑制消除了YAP介导的功能增强,并同时抑制了YAP表达,部分证实了双向调节。在体内,过表达YAP的DPSCs表现出牙本质特异性标志物和β-连环蛋白的诱导增加1.27至1.62倍,而沉默YAP则损害了这些标志物的表达。 结论:我们的研究结果表明,协调的YAP和β-连环蛋白信号通路驱动DPSC的牙源性发生,对牙本质再生具有潜在影响。尽管相互调节明显,但直接的分子相互作用需要进一步验证。
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