CD146 Expression Influences Periapical Cyst Mesenchymal Stem Cell Properties.

Area of Science:

• Stem Cell Biology
• Dental Research
• Regenerative Medicine

Background:

• Human periapical cyst mesenchymal stem cells (hPCy-MSCs) are a progenitor cell population with multi-lineage potential.
• CD146 is a cell surface marker whose role in hPCy-MSC properties requires further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare hPCy-MSC subpopulations with low (CD146Low) versus high (CD146High) CD146 expression.
• To determine if CD146 expression regulates the stem cell properties of hPCy-MSCs.

Main Methods:

• Flow cytometry was used to analyze stem cell marker profiles during passaging.
• CD146Low and CD146High subpopulations were sorted using magnetic beads.
• Proliferation, self-renewal, stemness gene expression (Klf4), and osteogenic differentiation potential were assessed.

Main Results:

• CD146 expression declined during hPCy-MSC passaging.
• CD146Low cells exhibited significantly higher proliferation and colony-forming unit-fibroblast capacity.
• CD146Low cells demonstrated higher Klf4 expression and greater osteogenic differentiation potential compared to CD146High cells.

Conclusions:

• CD146 is downregulated during hPCy-MSC passaging at both mRNA and protein levels.
• High CD146 expression negatively impacts the proliferative, self-renewal, and osteogenic differentiation capacities of hPCy-MSCs.
• CD146 expression levels are critical regulators of hPCy-MSC stemness properties.