p38a MAPK is involved in BMP-2-induced odontoblastic differentiation of human dental pulp cells

• Published in: International endodontic journal 2012-03, Vol.45 (3), p.224-233
• Main Authors: Qin, W., Lin, Z. M., Deng, R., Li, D. D., Song, Z., Tian, Y. G., Wang, R. F., Ling, J. Q., Zhu, X. F.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adult; Alkaline phosphatase; Alkaline Phosphatase - analysis; Blotting, Western; Bone morphogenetic protein 2; Bone Morphogenetic Protein 2 - drug effects; Bone Morphogenetic Protein 2 - physiology; bone morphogenetic proteins; Calcification, Physiologic - drug effects; Cell Culture Techniques; Cell Differentiation - drug effects; Cell Differentiation - physiology; Dental pulp; Dental Pulp - cytology; Dental Pulp - drug effects; Dental Pulp - enzymology; Dentistry; Differentiation; Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Indirect; Gene Knockdown Techniques; Gene Silencing; Humans; Indoles - pharmacology; MAP kinase; Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 14 - antagonists & inhibitors; Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 14 - genetics; Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 14 - physiology; Nodules; odontoblastic differentiation; Odontoblasts - drug effects; Odontoblasts - enzymology; Odontoblasts - physiology; p38; Phosphorylation; Polymerase chain reaction; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction; Retroviridae - genetics; Retrovirus; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; RNA, Small Interfering - genetics; Song; Transfection; Up-Regulation - drug effects; Western blotting
• ISSN: 0143-2885; 1365-2591
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2591.2011.01965.x

Qin W, Lin ZM, Deng R, Li DD, Song Z, Tian YG, Wang RF, Ling JQ, Zhu XF. p38a MAPK is involved in BMP‐2‐induced odontoblastic differentiation of human dental pulp cells. International Endodontic Journal, 45, 224–233, 2012. Aim  To investigate whether the p38α mitogen‐activated protein kinases (MAPK) is involved in bone morphogenetic protein (BMP)‐2‐induced odontoblastic differentiation of human dental pulp cells (HDPCs). Methodology  Recombinant retrovirus encoding shRNA against p38α MAPK was constructed to investigate the role of p38α MAPK on BMP‐2‐induced odontoblastic differentiation of HDPCs. HDPCs were transfected with retrovirus expressing sh‐p38α. Activation of p38α MAPK was detected by Western blot. The effects of p38α MAPK on BMP‐2‐induced odontoblastic differentiation of HDPCs were measured by alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity, and the expression of odontoblastic markers was identified by quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction analysis. The effect of SD‐282, a p38a‐specific inhibitor, on BMP‐2‐induced odontoblastic differentiation was also investigated. Results  BMP‐2 dose‐ and time‐dependently upregulated phosphorylation of p38α of HDPCs. Compared with BMP‐2‐treatment group, gene knock‐down of p38α MAPK significantly inhibited ALP activity and the formation of mineralized nodules in HDPCs. Moreover, suppression of p38α MAPK repressed the odontoblastic differentiation in HDPCs. Consistently, inhibition of p38α by SD‐282 also decreased odontoblastic differentiation. Conclusions  p38α MAPK is involved in BMP‐2‐induced odontoblastic differentiation of HDPCs.