Decorin Promotes Osteoblastic Differentiation of Human Periodontal Ligament Stem Cells

Abstract

The aim of this study is to clarify the biological functions of decorin (DCN) in the healing and regeneration of wounded periodontal tissue. We investigated the expression pattern of DCN during the healing of wounded periodontal tissue in rats by immunohistochemistry and the effects of DCN on the osteoblastic differentiation of human periodontal ligament (PDL) stem cells (HPDLSCs) and preosteoblasts by Alizarin red S staining, quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reactions, and western blotting. The expression of DCN was increased around the wounded PDL tissue on day 5 after surgery compared with the nonwounded PDL tissue, whereas its expression was not changed in the osteoblastic layer around the wounded alveolar bone. Furthermore, DCN promoted the osteoblastic differentiation of HPDLSCs, but it did not affect the osteoblastic differentiation of preosteoblasts. ERK1/2 phosphorylation was upregulated during the DCN-induced osteoblastic differentiation of HPDLSCs. DCN did not affect proliferation, migration, or the PDL-related gene expression of HPDLSCs. In conclusion, this study demonstrates that DCN has a role in the healing of wounded periodontal tissue. Furthermore, DCN secreted from PDL cells may contribute to bone healing by upregulating osteoblastic differentiation through ERK1/2 signaling in HPDLSCs, indicating a therapeutic effect of DCN in periodontal tissue regeneration.

Comparative Analysis of Myokines and Bone Metabolism Markers in Prepubertal Vegetarian and Omnivorous Children

“…Decorin, known for its effect on collagen fibrillogenesis, muscle tissue organization, and cellular signaling, acts as an antagonist of myostatin, potentially explaining the slightly lower myostatin levels observed in the vegetarians. Recent studies have suggested a positive role for decorin in bone metabolism, promoting osteoblast differentiation and inhibiting osteoclast activity [24,55].…”

“…Its deficiency results in altered tissue structure and function. Several in vitro and animal studies have shown that decorin exhibits positive effects on bone formation by promoting osteoblast differentiation and also may regulate bone resorption by decreasing osteoclast activity [24]. Myonectin and fibroblast growth factor-21 (FGF-21), linking muscle with glucose and lipid metabolism, also emerge as significant players in metabolic regulation, potentially affecting bone metabolism [25,26].…”

Decorin in the spatial control of collagen mineralization

“…DCN, which is named for its ability to ''decorate'' collagen fibrils, is a class I SLRP that has an approximately 40 kDa protein core substituted with a glycosaminoglycan (GAG) chain consisting of either dermatan sulfate (DS) or chondroitin sulfate (CS). 22 After it is secreted by PDL fibroblasts, DCN binds to the ''d'' and ''e'' bands in the gap zones of collagen fibrils via its protein core and regulates collagen fibril diameter and interfibrillar spacing during fibril assembly in connective tissue. 23,24 Deletion of DCN in mice gave rise to heterogeneity in the diameter, shape and arrangement of PDL collagen fibres.…”