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Updated: Aug 30, 2026
Isolation, Characterization and MicroRNA-based Genetic Modification of Human Dental Follicle Stem Cells
Published on: November 16, 2018
Exosomes Loaded With MiR-21 Promote Differentiation of Dental Pulp Stem Cells Into Endothelial Cells
Peihui Li1, Shuang Zhang1, Weiwei Zhang2
1Department of Endodontics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang, PR China; NHC Key Laboratory of Cell Transplantation, The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang, PR China; Department of Endodontics, School of Stomatology, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang, PR China.
Objectives:
This study utilized human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) as vector cells to examine the impact of miR-21 on the vascular differentiation of Human dental pulp stem cells (hDPSCs) in recipient cells. MiR-21 was transfected into HUVECs to modulate the levels of miR-21 in exosomes and explore associated molecular signalling mechanisms.
Materials And Methods:
Various groups of conditioned media were prepared to culture hDPSCs based on the differential expression of miR-21 in exosomes. Subsequently, cellular proliferation, migration, adhesion, and angiogenic capabilities were assessed. Target genes of miR-21 were validated via dual luciferase assay, along with the examination of downstream signalling pathways.
Results:
Both HUVECs-exos and overexpression groups markedly enhanced the adhesion, proliferation, migration, and angiogenic abilities of hDPSCs. However, the overexpression group exhibited a more pronounced promotional effect compared to the HUVECs-exos group, while the inhibition group showed no statistically significant differences. The dual-luciferase reporter gene assay confirmed the targeting linkage between miR-21 and JAG1, indicating that changes in miR-21 levels in hDPSCs impacted the expression of the JAG1/NOTCH1/VEGF signalling pathway.
Conclusion:
HUVEC-derived exosomes with elevated miR-21 levels promote adhesion, proliferation, migration and in vitro capillary-like tube formation in hDPSCs. MiR-21 modulates hDPSCs' in vitro angiogenic phenotypes via targeting JAG1 and subsequently activating the JAG1/NOTCH1/VEGF signalling pathway.
