circRNA Expression Profile in Dental Pulp Stem Cells during Odontogenic Differentiation
Ming Chen1,2, Yeqing Yang1,2, Junkai Zeng2,3
1Stomatological Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China.
Stem Cells International
|September 21, 2020
Summary
Circular RNAs (circRNAs) play a key role in regulating the odontogenic differentiation of human dental pulp stem cells (hDPSCs) for pulp regeneration. This study identified 187 differentially expressed circRNAs and found that hsa_circRNA_104101 promotes this differentiation process.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Stem Cell Biology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Odontogenic differentiation of human dental pulp stem cells (hDPSCs) is critical for pulp regeneration.
- Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are increasingly recognized for their biological functions, particularly through competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) mechanisms.
- The specific role of circRNAs in hDPSC odontogenesis remains largely unexplored.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the differential expression profiles of circRNAs during hDPSC odontogenic differentiation.
- To construct a circRNA-mediated ceRNA network and identify key signaling pathways involved.
- To elucidate the functional role of specific circRNAs, such as hsa_circRNA_104101, in odontogenesis.
Main Methods:
- hDPSCs were cultured in standard and odontogenic media, followed by RNA extraction and microarray analysis.
- Quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) was used to validate microarray findings.
- Bioinformatic analyses, including ceRNA network construction, Gene Ontology (GO), and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analyses, were performed. qRT-PCR and Western blot assessed hsa_circRNA_104101 function.
Main Results:
- A total of 187 differentially expressed circRNAs were identified (43 upregulated, 144 downregulated) during odontogenic differentiation (P < 0.05).
- Bioinformatic analysis linked these circRNAs to crucial signaling pathways, including Wnt and TGF-β, which are involved in odontogenesis.
- hsa_circRNA_104101 was confirmed to promote the odontogenic differentiation of hDPSCs.
Conclusions:
- This study identified a significant set of differentially expressed circRNAs during hDPSC odontogenic differentiation.
- circRNA-miRNA-mRNA networks are proposed as a critical regulatory mechanism in hDPSC odontogenesis.
- These findings provide a foundational understanding for exploring circRNA-based regulation in pulp regeneration.
