Brain-derived neurotrophic factor protects cementoblasts from serum starvation-induced cell death

Our previous studies have shown that brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) enhances bone/cementum-related protein gene expression through the TrkB-c-Raf-ERK1/2-Elk-1 signaling pathway in cementoblasts, which play a critical role in the establishment of a functional periodontal ligament. To clarify how BDNF regulates survival in cementoblasts, we examined its effects on cell death induced by serum starvation in immortalized human cementoblast-like (HCEM) cells. BDNF inhibited the death of HCEM cells. Small-interfering RNA (siRNA) for TRKB, a high affinity receptor for BDNF, and for Bcl-2, countered the BDNF-induced decrease in dead cell number. In addition, LY294002, a PI3-kinase inhibitor; SH-6, an Akt inhibitor; and PDTC, a nuclear factor kappa B (NF-kappaB) inhibitor, but not PD98059, an ERK1/2 inhibitor, abolished the protective effect of BDNF against cell death. BDNF enhanced phosphorylated Akt levels, NF-kappaB activity in the nucleus, Bcl-2 mRNA levels, and mitochondrial membrane potential. The blocking of BDNF's actions by treatment with siRNA in all cases for TRKB and Bcl-2, LY294002, SH-6, and PDTC suppressed the enhancement. These findings provide the first evidence that a TrkB-PI3-kinase-Akt-NF-kappaB-Bcl-2 signaling pathway triggered by BDNF and the subsequent protective effect of BDNF on mitochondrial membrane potential are required to rescue HCEM cells from serum starvation-induced cell death. Furthermore, the survival and increased expression of bone/cementum-related proteins induced by BDNF in HCEM cells occur through different signaling pathways.