The Antimicrobial Peptide LL-37 Promotes Migration and Odonto/Osteogenic Differentiation of Stem Cells from the Apical Papilla through the Akt/Wnt/β-catenin Signaling Pathway.
Cheng. Qing Q; Zeng. Kangrui K; Kang. Qiongyi Q; Qian. Wentao W; Zhang. Wenyue W; Gan. Qiulei Q; Xia. Wenwei W
Key Findings
- LL-37 at 2.5 µg/mL boosted proliferation and migration of stem cells from the tooth apex (SCAPs).
- The peptide increased expression of bone‑related genes and proteins (DSP, DMP1, RUNX2, Osterix) and raised alkaline phosphatase activity, indicating osteogenic differentiation.
- Activation of the Akt/Wnt/β‑catenin signaling pathway was required for these effects; blocking the pathway stopped the benefits.
Practical Outcomes
- For now, the results are only relevant to dental research and not ready for self‑administration or DIY protocols. The study suggests LL-37 could be explored as a future tool for tooth or bone regeneration, but no safe dosage, delivery method, or real‑world application is available for biohackers.
Summary
A lab study found that the antimicrobial peptide LL-37 can make certain dental stem cells grow faster, move more, and turn into bone‑like cells in a dish, but only at a specific concentration (2.5 µg/mL) and through a known cell‑signaling pathway. This work is still early‑stage and done in cell culture, not in people.
Abstract
The antimicrobial peptide LL-37, in addition to its broad spectrum of antibacterial function, can promote odontogenesis and osteogenesis. Stem cells from the apical papilla (SCAPs) are essential for the formation of dentin/bonelike tissues. However, little information on these cells is available in regenerative endodontics. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of LL-37 on the proliferation, migration, and differentiation of SCAPs. SCAPs were isolated, cultured, and characterized. Cell viability was analyzed by Cell Counting Kit-8 assays (Dojindo, Kumamoto, Japan). Cell migration was investigated by transwell assays. Dentin sialophosphoprotein, dentin matrix protein 1, runt-related transcription factor 2, and osterix were assessed by quantitative polymerase chain reaction and Western blots. Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity and ALP staining were assessed to determine the in vitro potential for osteogenic differentiation. The involvement of the Akt/Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway was also studied. In the 2.5-μg/mL LL-37 -treated group, cell proliferation and migration were up-regulated. Quantitative polymerase chain reaction and Western blot assays both revealed that LL-37 at 2.5 μg/mL up-regulated odonto/osteogenic markers (dentin sialophosphoprotein, dentin matrix protein 1, runt-related transcription factor 2, and osterix). LL-37 at 2.5 μg/mL significantly promoted ALP activity and increased the staining in SCAPs. In addition, the p-Akt and p-glycogen synthase kinase-3β levels were increased in LL-37-treated SCAPs. The migratory and odonto/osteogenic differentiation capacities of SCAPs were inhibited after treatment with inhibitors LY294002 and XAV-939. Our study showed that LL-37 at 2.5 μg/mL promoted the migration and odonto/osteogenic differentiation of SCAPs by activating the Akt/Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway.
Study Information
pubmed
2020
2020-05-07T00:00:00.000Z
10.1016/j.joen.2020.03.013
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