Effect of estrogen receptor beta on the osteoblastic differentiation function of human periodontal ligament cells

• Published in: Archives of oral biology 2008-06, Vol.53 (6), p.553-557
• Main Authors: Liang, Li, Yu, Ji-feng, Wang, Yan, Wang, Guang, Ding, Yin
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Advanced Basic Science; Alkaline phosphatase; Alkaline Phosphatase - metabolism; Cell Differentiation - drug effects; Child; Dentistry; Estradiol - pharmacology; Estrogen; Estrogen receptor beta; Estrogen Receptor beta - physiology; Estrogens - pharmacology; Humans; Osteoblasts - metabolism; Osteocalcin; Osteocalcin - metabolism; Periodontal ligament; Periodontal Ligament - metabolism; siRNA
• ISSN: 0003-9969; 1879-1506
• DOI: 10.1016/j.archoralbio.2007.12.011

Abstract Objective To investigate the effect of estrogen receptor beta (ERβ) on osteoblastic differentiation function of human periodontal ligament (hPDL) cells by measuring the alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity and the production of osteocalcin (OCN) in vitro. Design We employed a short interfering RNA (siRNA) technique to inhibit ERβ expression in hPDL cells; the cells were cultured with a saturating concentration of 17β-estradiol (10−7 M). ALP activity was analysed by colorimetric assay using ALP kit and the amount of OCN was assessed by osteocalcin ELISA kit. Results It was shown that estradiol significantly enhanced the ALP activity and the production of OCN in hPDL cells. However, the ALP activity and the production of OCN in hPDL-siERβ cells were not significantly changed after estradiol treatment. Conclusions These results indicate that ERβ may play important roles in estrogen-induced effects on osteoblastic differentiation function of PDL cells and estrogen influences the bone formation capacity of PDL cells mainly via ERβ.