lncRNA SNHG1 regulates odontogenic differentiation of human dental pulp stem cells via miR-328-3p/Wnt/β-catenin pathway

Abstract

Background: Elucidating the mechanism of odontogenic differentiation of human dental pulp stem cells (hDPSCs) is the key to in-depth mastery and development of regenerative endodontic procedures (REPs). In odontogenic differentiation, lncRNAs have a regulatory role. The goal of this research is to determine the involvement of short nucleolar RNA host gene 1 (SNHG1) in hDPSCs’ odontogenic differentiation and the mechanism that underpins it. Methods: hDPSCs were isolated from the dental pulp tissue of healthy immature permanent teeth. Follow-up experiments were performed when the third generation of primary cells were transfected. The proliferation ability was measured by CCK-8. The biological effects of SNHG1 and miR-328-3p were determined by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR), western blot (WB), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) staining and activity, alizarin red S staining (ARS) and quantification, and immunofluorescence staining. The binding of SNHG1 and miR-328-3p was confirmed using a dual-luciferase reporter assay. qRT-PCR and WB were used to determine whether the canonical Wnt/β-catenin pathway was activated. Results: On the 0th, 3rd, and 7th days of odontogenic differentiation of hDPSCs, SNHG1 showed a gradual up-regulation trend. SNHG1 overexpression enhanced the mRNA and protein expression of dentin sialophosphoprotein (DSPP), dentine matrix protein 1 (DMP-1) and ALP. We found that SNHG1 could bind to miR-328-3p. miR-328-3p inhibited the odontogenic differentiation of hDPSCs. Therefore, miR-328-3p mimics rescued the effect of SNHG1 overexpression on promoting odontogenic differentiation. In addition, SNHG1 inhibited Wnt/β-catenin pathway via miR-328-3p in odontogenic differentiation of hDPSCs. Conclusion: lncRNA SNHG1 inhibits Wnt/β-catenin pathway through miR-328-3p and then promotes the odontogenic differentiation of hDPSCs.