Intermittent compressive force regulates dentin matrix protein 1 expression in human periodontal ligament stem cells

Background/purpose: Mechanical force differentially regulates periodontal ligament functions depending on types, magnitudes, and duration of stimulation. Intermittent compressive force (ICF) promotes an in vitro mineralization in human periodontal ligament cells. The present study investigated the effect of ICF on dentin matrix protein-1 (DMP1) expression in human periodontal ligament stem cells (hPDLSCs).Materials and methods: Cells were treated with ICF in a serum-free culture medium for 24 h The mRNA and protein expression were examined using real-time polymerase chain reaction, immunofluorescence staining and Western blot analysis, respectively. Results: The exposure to ICF in a serum-free condition significantly induced DMP1 expression in both mRNA and protein levels. The effect of ICF-induced DMP1 expression was inhibited by pretreatment with cycloheximide, indicating the requirement of the intermediated mole-cule(s). Pretreatment with transforming growth factor I3 (TGF-I3) receptor inhibitor (SB43154 2) or neutralized antibody against TGF-I31 prior to ICF application abolished the effect of ICF-induced DMP1 expression. Further, recombinant TGF-I31 treatment stimulated DMP1 expression.Conclusion: The present study illustrated that ICF induces DMP1 expression in hPDLSCs via the regulation of TGF-b signaling pathway. (c) 2022 Association for Dental Sciences of the Republic of China. Publishing services by Else -vier B.V. This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license (http:// creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/).