LGALS3BP/Gal-3 promotes osteogenic differentiation of human periodontal ligament stem cells

Abstract

Objective: To identify the role of LGALS3BP/Gal-3 in the process of human periodontal ligament stem cells (hPDLSCs) differentiating into osteoblasts.

Methods: IP-WB experiments were carried out to examine the binding of LGALS3BP and Gal-3. Western blot was performed to detect the expressions of LGALS3BP and Gal-3 in hPDLSCs with or without osteogenic differentiation inducement. The expressions of differentiation-related Oct4, Sox2 and Runx2 were also detected by western blot. Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP) Assay Kit was used to measure ALP activity in hPDLSCs. The mineralization ability of hPDLSCs was observed by staining with Alizarin Red S solution.

Results: LGALS3BP bound with Gal-3 in hPDLSCs, and the expression of LGALS3BP and Gal-3 was improved after osteogenic differentiation of hPDLSCs. Recombinant GAL-3 promoted the expression of differentiation-related proteins Oct4 and Sox2 and Runx2 in osteogenic differentiation-induced hPDLSCs. Recombinant GAL-3 also promoted the differentiation of osteogenesis-induced hPDLSCs. Furthermore, LGALS3BP had a facilitating effect on differentiation-related protein expression, while it could be reversed by shGal-3. LGALS3BP also promoted osteogenic capacity of hPDLSCs, and shGal-3 could reverse this effect.

Conclusion: LGALS3BP binds to Gal-3, producing a promoting effect on the osteogenic differentiation of human periodontal ligament stem cells.

Keywords: Gal-3; Human periodontal ligament stem cells; LGALS3BP; Mineralization; Osteogenic differentiation.