Matrix Stiffness Regulates the Osteogenic Differentiation of hPDLSCs via DNA Methylation

Objectives: This study aimed to examine the influence of matrix stiffness on osteogenic differentiation via epigenetic mechanisms in human periodontal ligament stem cells (hPDLSCs), with implications for understanding orthodontic tooth movement. Materials and Methods: hPDLSCs were cultured on substr...

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Main Authors: Rong Ding, Chen Chen, Ling Wang, Yijie Wang, Zhen Chai, Siyu He, Qianqian Zhang, Shuli Cheng, Rui Zou
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2025-08-01
Series:International Dental Journal
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Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0020653925000619
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author Rong Ding
Chen Chen
Ling Wang
Yijie Wang
Zhen Chai
Siyu He
Qianqian Zhang
Shuli Cheng
Rui Zou
author_facet Rong Ding
Chen Chen
Ling Wang
Yijie Wang
Zhen Chai
Siyu He
Qianqian Zhang
Shuli Cheng
Rui Zou
author_sort Rong Ding
collection DOAJ
description Objectives: This study aimed to examine the influence of matrix stiffness on osteogenic differentiation via epigenetic mechanisms in human periodontal ligament stem cells (hPDLSCs), with implications for understanding orthodontic tooth movement. Materials and Methods: hPDLSCs were cultured on substrates with varying stiffness (soft and stiff). Dot blot and immunofluorescence techniques were employed to measure global DNA methylation levels. RT-qPCR and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity assays were conducted to assess differences in DNA methylation and osteogenic potential. Additionally, ELISA was used to quantify DNA methyltransferase content and activity. Results: hPDLSCs on stiffer substrates exhibited increased 5-methylcytosine (5-mC) and higher global DNA methylation levels than those on soft substrates. With increased matrix stiffness, DNMT3A and DNMT3B mRNA expression levels rose. hPDLSCs on stiff matrices also showed elevated DNMT3B enzyme content and osteogenic activity. When global DNA methylation was reduced, mRNA levels of RUNX2, ALP, and Col-1 decreased, along with a notable reduction in ALP staining intensity in the inhibitor group. Conclusions: Matrix stiffness is positively associated with global DNA methylation, with DNMT3B likely mediating this regulation in hPDLSCs. Furthermore, DNA methylation levels are positively linked to the osteogenic capability of hPDLSCs.
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series International Dental Journal
spelling doaj-art-89339f68f1ea4d62b830b7b965d9b5a62025-08-20T03:27:25ZengElsevierInternational Dental Journal0020-65392025-08-0175410078310.1016/j.identj.2025.02.022Matrix Stiffness Regulates the Osteogenic Differentiation of hPDLSCs via DNA MethylationRong Ding0Chen Chen1Ling Wang2Yijie Wang3Zhen Chai4Siyu He5Qianqian Zhang6Shuli Cheng7Rui Zou8Key Laboratory of Shaanxi Province for Craniofacial Precision Medicine Research, College of Stomatology, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi Province, China; Clinical Research Centre of Shaanxi Province for Dental and Maxillofacial Diseases, College of Stomatology, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi Province, China; College of Stomatology, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi Province, ChinaKey Laboratory of Shaanxi Province for Craniofacial Precision Medicine Research, College of Stomatology, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi Province, China; Clinical Research Centre of Shaanxi Province for Dental and Maxillofacial Diseases, College of Stomatology, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi Province, China; College of Stomatology, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi Province, ChinaKey Laboratory of Shaanxi Province for Craniofacial Precision Medicine Research, College of Stomatology, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi Province, China; Clinical Research Centre of Shaanxi Province for Dental and Maxillofacial Diseases, College of Stomatology, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi Province, China; College of Stomatology, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi Province, ChinaKey Laboratory of Shaanxi Province for Craniofacial Precision Medicine Research, College of Stomatology, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi Province, China; Clinical Research Centre of Shaanxi Province for Dental and Maxillofacial Diseases, College of Stomatology, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi Province, China; College of Stomatology, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi Province, ChinaKey Laboratory of Shaanxi Province for Craniofacial Precision Medicine Research, College of Stomatology, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi Province, China; Clinical Research Centre of Shaanxi Province for Dental and Maxillofacial Diseases, College of Stomatology, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi Province, China; College of Stomatology, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi Province, ChinaKey Laboratory of Shaanxi Province for Craniofacial Precision Medicine Research, College of Stomatology, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi Province, China; Clinical Research Centre of Shaanxi Province for Dental and Maxillofacial Diseases, College of Stomatology, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi Province, China; College of Stomatology, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi Province, ChinaKey Laboratory of Shaanxi Province for Craniofacial Precision Medicine Research, College of Stomatology, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi Province, China; Clinical Research Centre of Shaanxi Province for Dental and Maxillofacial Diseases, College of Stomatology, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi Province, China; College of Stomatology, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi Province, ChinaKey Laboratory of Shaanxi Province for Craniofacial Precision Medicine Research, College of Stomatology, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi Province, China; Clinical Research Centre of Shaanxi Province for Dental and Maxillofacial Diseases, College of Stomatology, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi Province, China; College of Stomatology, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi Province, China; Corresponding author. College of Stomatology Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi Wu Road No. 98, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710004, ChinaKey Laboratory of Shaanxi Province for Craniofacial Precision Medicine Research, College of Stomatology, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi Province, China; Clinical Research Centre of Shaanxi Province for Dental and Maxillofacial Diseases, College of Stomatology, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi Province, China; College of Stomatology, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi Province, China; Corresponding author. College of Stomatology Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi Wu Road No. 98, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710004, ChinaObjectives: This study aimed to examine the influence of matrix stiffness on osteogenic differentiation via epigenetic mechanisms in human periodontal ligament stem cells (hPDLSCs), with implications for understanding orthodontic tooth movement. Materials and Methods: hPDLSCs were cultured on substrates with varying stiffness (soft and stiff). Dot blot and immunofluorescence techniques were employed to measure global DNA methylation levels. RT-qPCR and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity assays were conducted to assess differences in DNA methylation and osteogenic potential. Additionally, ELISA was used to quantify DNA methyltransferase content and activity. Results: hPDLSCs on stiffer substrates exhibited increased 5-methylcytosine (5-mC) and higher global DNA methylation levels than those on soft substrates. With increased matrix stiffness, DNMT3A and DNMT3B mRNA expression levels rose. hPDLSCs on stiff matrices also showed elevated DNMT3B enzyme content and osteogenic activity. When global DNA methylation was reduced, mRNA levels of RUNX2, ALP, and Col-1 decreased, along with a notable reduction in ALP staining intensity in the inhibitor group. Conclusions: Matrix stiffness is positively associated with global DNA methylation, with DNMT3B likely mediating this regulation in hPDLSCs. Furthermore, DNA methylation levels are positively linked to the osteogenic capability of hPDLSCs.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0020653925000619Matrix stiffnessDNA methylationDNA methyltransferasehPDLSCsOsteogenic differentiation
spellingShingle Rong Ding
Chen Chen
Ling Wang
Yijie Wang
Zhen Chai
Siyu He
Qianqian Zhang
Shuli Cheng
Rui Zou
Matrix Stiffness Regulates the Osteogenic Differentiation of hPDLSCs via DNA Methylation
International Dental Journal
Matrix stiffness
DNA methylation
DNA methyltransferase
hPDLSCs
Osteogenic differentiation
title Matrix Stiffness Regulates the Osteogenic Differentiation of hPDLSCs via DNA Methylation
title_full Matrix Stiffness Regulates the Osteogenic Differentiation of hPDLSCs via DNA Methylation
title_fullStr Matrix Stiffness Regulates the Osteogenic Differentiation of hPDLSCs via DNA Methylation
title_full_unstemmed Matrix Stiffness Regulates the Osteogenic Differentiation of hPDLSCs via DNA Methylation
title_short Matrix Stiffness Regulates the Osteogenic Differentiation of hPDLSCs via DNA Methylation
title_sort matrix stiffness regulates the osteogenic differentiation of hpdlscs via dna methylation
topic Matrix stiffness
DNA methylation
DNA methyltransferase
hPDLSCs
Osteogenic differentiation
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0020653925000619
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