Mechanical Stress Modulates the RANKL/OPG System of Periodontal Ligament Stem Cells via α7 nAChR in Human Deciduous Teeth: An In Vitro Study

Figure 3

Mechanical pressure modulates the osteogenic and the osteoclastic differentiation through α7 nAChR in PDLSCs. (a) Relative mRNA expression of α7 nAChR in PDLSCs from different groups. (b) Western blot assays demonstrated the expression levels of α7 nAChR in PDLSCs from each group. (c) Relative mRNA expressions of RUNX2, ALP, RANKL, and OPG from UN group PDLSCs. (d) Western blot assay results showed the expression levels of RUNX2, ALP, RANKL, and OPG in PDLSCs from UN group PDLSCs. (e) Alizarin red staining of PDLSCs from each group after culture in osteogenic medium for 21 days under stereomicroscope. (f) Quantitative analysis for the mineralized nodule of (e). The cyclic hydraulic pressure was performed with a fixed frequency of 0.1 Hz at different ranges for 2 hours/day for three consecutive days (a–d) and 21 consecutive days while performing the osteogenic differentiation assays (e, f). Values have been expressed as . (, , and ; one-way ANOVA).

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