Abstract
BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: Dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs) have demonstrated significant potential for neuroregeneration. However, a full understanding of the specific mechanism underpinning the neural differentiation of DPSCs is still required. The Wnt signaling is crucial for the development of the embryonic neural system and the maintenance of adult neural homeostasis. This study aimed to investigate the role of the Wnt/Ca(2+) pathway in the neural differentiation of human DPSCs (hDPSCs) and its modulation of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway. MATERIALS AND METHODS: hDPSCs were cultured and divided into the control group and the neurogenic induction group (Neuro group). The mRNA and protein levels of neurogenic markers, Wnt/Ca(2+), and Wnt/β-catenin pathway indicators were determined using Quantitative real-time PCR and Western blotting. After inhibition of the Wnt/Ca(2+) pathway using a WNT5A short hairpin RNA (shRNA) plasmid and subsequent neurogenic induction, neurogenic markers and Wnt/β-catenin pathway indicators in the NC-sh-Neuro group and WNT5A-sh-Neuro group were determined using Quantitative real-time PCR and Western blotting. RESULTS: Compared with the control group, the expression of the Wnt/Ca(2+) pathway indicators (WNT5A, Frizzled 2, calmodulin-dependent protein kinase IIa, and nuclear factor of active T cells 1) decreased in the Neuro group. Conversely, the expression of WNT3A, total β-catenin and active β-catenin in the Wnt/β-catenin pathway increased. Moreover, compared with the NC-sh-Neuro group, the WNT5A-sh-Neuro group exhibited a greater level of mature neural differentiation alongside elevated expression of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway indicators. CONCLUSION: The Wnt/Ca(2+) pathway inhibited neural differentiation of hDPSCs and has a negative effect on the Wnt/β-catenin pathway in vitro.