C4orf7 modulates osteogenesis and adipogenesis of human periodontal ligament cells.

In this study, we examined the expression of C4orf7 in PDL tissue, using immunohistochemical staining. We transfected PDLCs with lentiviral vectors expressing C4orf7 and examined the effect of C4orf7 on the balance of PDLC osteogenic and osteoclastogenic differentiation. Osteogenic induction resulted in the downregulation of mRNA and protein expression levels of the osteogenic/cementoblastic markers: ALP, RUNX2, COL1, OPN, OPG, OSX, IBSP, CAP, and CEMP1. Transfected cells also exhibited an increased RANKL/OPG ratio, which is an indicator of osteoclastogenic differentiation. ALP activity assays and Alizarin red staining confirmed the negative effect of C4orf7 on PDLC osteogenic differentiation. Finally, we investigated the effect of C4orf7 on the lineage commitment of PDLCs to adipocytes. We observed increased expression levels of PPARγ2, GLUT4, ZFP423, FABP4, and LPL mRNAs, as well as a gradual accumulation of lipid droplets in the C4orf7-overexpressing group compared with controls. In summary, our data confirm that C4orf7 has an important role in the regulation of periodontal bone remodeling through promotion of the adipogenic/osteoclastogenic, and inhibition of the osteogenic/cementoblastic, differentiation of PDLCs. Therefore, C4orf7 is a potential therapeutic target for the treatment of periodontal disease and other bone metabolic disorders.
PMID: 29312523 [PubMed]

Source: American Journal of Translational Research - January 11, 2018 Category: Research Tags: Am J Transl Res Source Type: research