Effects of melatonin on the proliferation and differentiation of human dental pulp cells

Publication date: November 2017
Source:Archives of Oral Biology, Volume 83
Author(s): Qin Liu, Wenguo Fan, Yifan He, Fuping Zhang, Xiaoyan Guan, Qianyi Deng, Xianjun Lu, Hongwen He, Fang Huang
ObjectiveEffects of melatonin on the proliferation and differentiation of human dental pulp cells (hDPCs) remain unclear. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of melatonin on the proliferation and differentiation of the hDPCs.DesignPrimary hDPCs were obtained from the third molar of volunteer aged from 18 to 25. CCK8 assay evaluated the effect of melatonin upon cell proliferation at day 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. After 7days' osteogenic induction with melatonin or vehicle, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity was measured with a commercial kit. Then levels of dentin sialophosphoprotein (DSPP) were determined by immunocytochemical staining and western blot analysis, followed by quantitative real-time reverse transcription-Polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) to analyse mRNA levels of ALP and DSPP. Finally hDPCs exposed to osteogenic medium containing melatonin or vehicle for 14days were stained with alizarin red to detect mineralization nodules formation.ResultsMelatonin significantly inhibited the proliferative ability of the hDPCs in a concentration- and time-dependent manner. The hDPCs cultured in osteogenic induction medium with melatonin presented an increase of ALP activity, expression of DSPP, mRNA levels of ALP and DSPP, and mineralization nodules formation.ConclusionsThese findings indicate that melatonin at physiological concentrations can inhibit proliferation and promote the differentiation of hDPCs, which might give some new insights into the mechanism of regulating DPCs to achieve dentine regeneration.



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