Effects of calcitonin on dental stem cells derived from human periodontal ligament

Abstract

Purpose : Calcitonin is a natural hormone controlling calcium metabolism by decreasing blood calcium ion level and storing calcium deposit in bone. Dental stem cells have been studied in regenerative medicine because of its multi-lineage differentiation potential. The purpose of this study is to determine the effects of calcitonin on human periodontal ligament stem cells (hPDLSCs).

Materials and Methods : After primary culture of hPDLSCs from extracted third molar, FACS, Alizarin red S staining, Alcian blue staining, and Oil red O staining were done to confirm stem cell origin and multilineage differentiation potential. Effects of calcitonin on proliferation, migration, and differentiation of hPDLSCs were evaluated with CCK-8 assay, wound healing assay, ALP staining, Alizarin red S staining, and real-time PCR analysis.

Results : Cultured human PDLSCs were confirmed of its mesenchymal stem cell-like properties with osteogenic, chondrogenic, and adipogenic differentiation potential. No significant cytotoxicity was observed after 24 and 48 hours, and cell proliferation increased mostly with 1 nM calcitonin at 48 hours. Under the same concentration, cell migration and expression of osteogenic differentiation markers increased the most.

Conclusion : From this study, treatment with 1 nM calcitonin promotes osteogenic differentiation, cell proliferation and migration of hPDLSCs. These results support the idea that calcitonin could be used not only in treatment of osteoporosis and hypercalcemia but also in the field of regenerative medicine.