Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 9, 2026

Skeletal Phenotype Analysis of a Conditional Stat3 Deletion Mouse Model
Published on: July 3, 2020
GSK3β is a checkpoint for TNF-α-mediated impaired osteogenic differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells in
Xiangwei Kong1, Yan Liu, Ruidong Ye
1Department of Orthodontics, School of Stomatology, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China; Research and Development Center for Tissue Engineering, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China; Department of Stomatology, Nanjing Bayi Hospital, Nanjing, China.
Background:
The fate and differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) depend on various microenvironmental cues. In chronic inflammatory bone disease, bone regeneration is inhibited. The present study therefore sought to identify the underlying molecule mechanisms.
Methods:
We isolated periodontal ligament stem cells (PDLSCs), a new population of MSCs, from the periodontal ligament tissues of periodontitis patients and healthy controls (p-PDLSCs and h-PDLSCs). The secretion of inflammatory cytokines, like TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6 and IL-8, after LPS stimulation was measured by ELISA. The expressions of p-GSK3β and GSK3β in two types of PDLSCs were detected by Western blot. TOPFlash was used to assay the Tcf/Lef transcriptional activity. Knockdown of GSK3β by siRNA and over-expression of GSK3β by adenoviruses were performed to confirm the role of GSK3β in the impaired osteogenic differentiation of PDLSCs under inflammatory microenvironment.
Results:
We demonstrated that p-PDLSCs displayed impaired osteogenic capacity than h-PDLSCs. Upon inflammatory stimulation, monocytes, but not PDLSCs, released inflammatory cytokines among which TNF-α directly act on PDLSCs and suppressed their osteogenic differentiation. TNF-α induced the phosphorylation of GSK3β, the deactivated form of GSK3β, which increased nuclear β-catenin and Lef-1 accumulation, and eventually reduced the Runx2-associated osteogenesis in PDLSCs. Over-expression of GSK3β rescued osteogenesis in TNF-α-stimulated PDLSCs, whereas inactivation of GSK3β was sufficient to liberate the β-catenin/Lef-1/Runx2 pathway.
Conclusion:
GSK3β plays an obligatory role in the TNF-α-mediated inhibition of osteogenesis in MSCs.
General Significance:
The strategy to target GSK3β may provide a potential approach to bone regeneration in inflammatory microenvironments.
Insights
Inflammatory conditions impair bone regeneration by inhibiting mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) differentiation via TNF-α. Targeting GSK3β rescues this inhibition, offering a potential therapeutic strategy for bone repair.
Area of Science:
- Cell Biology
- Stem Cell Biology
- Regenerative Medicine
Background:
- Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) differentiation is crucial for bone regeneration but is impaired in inflammatory conditions.
- Chronic inflammatory bone diseases hinder bone regeneration, necessitating an understanding of underlying molecular mechanisms.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the molecular mechanisms by which inflammation inhibits osteogenic differentiation of periodontal ligament stem cells (PDLSCs).
- To determine the role of GSK3β in the inflammatory suppression of MSC osteogenesis.
Main Methods:
- Isolated PDLSCs from periodontitis patients and healthy controls.
- Measured inflammatory cytokine secretion (ELISA) and protein expression (Western blot).
- Assayed Tcf/Lef transcriptional activity and manipulated GSK3β levels (siRNA, adenoviruses).
Main Results:
- Periodontitis-derived PDLSCs showed impaired osteogenic capacity compared to healthy controls.
- TNF-α directly suppressed PDLSC osteogenic differentiation by inducing GSK3β phosphorylation.
- GSK3β inactivation rescued osteogenesis by modulating β-catenin/Lef-1/Runx2 pathway.
Conclusions:
- GSK3β is essential in TNF-α-mediated inhibition of osteogenesis in MSCs.
- Targeting GSK3β presents a potential therapeutic approach for bone regeneration in inflammatory settings.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
TGF - β Signaling Pathway
MAPK Signaling Cascades
Mesenchymal Stem Cells
The JAK-STAT Signaling Pathway
Intracellular Signaling Affects Focal Adhesions
Some...
NF-κB-dependent Signaling Pathway
NF-κB-dependent Signaling Mechanism
The heterodimer of NF-κB...

