Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To explore the effects and underlying biological mechanisms of tetrahedral DNA nanostructures (TDNs) on the proliferation and osteogenic differentiation of periodontal ligament stem cells (PDLSCs). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Real-time cell analysis (RTCA) and CCK8 were used to screen the best concentration of TDN for PDLSCs. Cell proliferation and osteogenic differentiation were assessed after PDLSCs were treated with TDN. Data were analysed using one-way ANOVA. RESULTS: Tetrahedral DNA nanostructures could play a crucial role in accelerating the proliferation of PDLSCs and had the strongest promotive effect on PDLSCs at a concentration of 250 nmol/L. Simultaneously, the osteogenic differentiation of PDLSCs could be promoted significantly by TDNs and the finding displayed that the Wnt/β-catenin signalling pathway might be the underlying biological mechanisms of TDNs on promoting the osteogenic differentiation of PDLSCs. CONCLUSION: Tetrahedral DNA nanostructure treatment facilitated the proliferation of PDLSCs, significantly promoted osteogenic differentiation by regulating the Wnt/β-catenin signalling pathway. Therefore, TDNs could be a novel nanomaterial with great potential for application to PDLSC-based bone tissue engineering.