Conclusions
The present results suggest that OT can promote odontoblastlike cell differentiation, resulting in increased dentin formation, and that OT could be an important factor for dentinogenesis.
Methods
Using a culture system of rat dental pulp cells with Otr knocked out by CRISPR-Cas9 genome editing, we examined the effects of OT on odontoblastlike cell differentiation as reflected by dentin formation.
Results
We confirmed that OT stimulated mineralized nodule formation and the expression of both dentin sialoprotein and bone Gla protein messenger RNAs (mRNAs) in the culture system. Interestingly, the cultured cells treated with OT also exhibited an increase of both Wnt10a and Lef-1 mRNA. The Otr knockout cells showed inhibition of nodule formation and mRNA expression, and these phenomena remained despite OT treatment. These results indicate the following: OT regulates odontoblastlike cell differentiation via the OT receptor, it stimulates dentin formation, and the Wnt canonical pathway is closely related to these effects. Conclusions: The present results suggest that OT can promote odontoblastlike cell differentiation, resulting in increased dentin formation, and that OT could be an important factor for dentinogenesis.