[Mechano-growth factor regulated cyclic stretch-induced osteogenic differentiation and MMP-1, MMP-2 expression in human periodontal ligament cells by activating the MEK/ERK1/2 pathway].
Chen. Jing-Tao JT; Wang. Yan Y; Zhou. Zhi-Fei ZF; Wei. Ke-Wen KW
Key Findings
- Cyclic stretch raises MGF levels in periodontal ligament cells over time.
- Silencing MGF lowers bone‑formation markers (ALP, Runx2, OPN) and MMP‑1/2 expression.
- Adding MGF enhances stretch‑induced bone differentiation, an effect blocked by MEK/ERK inhibitor U0126.
Practical Outcomes
- For biohackers, the work suggests MGF plays a role in bone remodeling under mechanical load, but there’s no human dosage or protocol to apply. Until safety and efficacy are proven in people, it remains a basic science finding without direct actionable steps for longevity or performance.
Summary
The study shows that a protein called mechano‑growth factor (MGF) helps human gum‑line cells turn into bone‑like cells when they are stretched, and it does this through a specific cell‑signaling pathway. Turning off MGF reduces bone‑related markers, while adding extra MGF boosts them, but this was only seen in lab dishes, not in people.
Abstract
To explore the role and mechanism of mechano-growth factor (MGF) in cyclic stretch (CS)-induced osteogenic differentiation and MMP-1, MMP-2 expression in human periodontal ligament cells (hPDLCs). HPDLCs were isolated and transfected with si-MGF, or stimulated with MGF or MEK/ERK pathway inhibitor U0126. Cells were cultured in Flexercell system with 10% elongation at 0.1 Hz. An alkaline phosphatase (ALP) kit was used to detect ALP activity. QRT-PCR assay was performed to determine the transcript levels of MGF and osteogenic genes, including ALP, runt-related transcription factor 2 (Runx2) and osteopontin (OPN). Western bot was used to evaluate the effect on MEK/EKR1/2 signaling. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS 19.0 software package. CS induced the expression of MGF in hPDLCs in a time-dependent manner (P＜0.05). In contrast to the control group, transfection with si-MGF inhibited the expression of MGF in hPDLCs (P＜0.05). Moreover, cessation of MGF dramatically suppressed ALP activity (P＜0.05) and the expression of osteogenic gene ALP, Runx2 and OPN (P＜0.05) in hPDLCs. Furthermore, down-regulation of MGF restrained the expression of MMP-1 and MMP-2, in contrast to CS group (P＜0.05). Conversely, stimulation with MGF further enhanced the effects of CS on osteogenic differentiation of hPDLCs and MMP-1, MMP-2 expression (P＜0.05). Additionally, MGC silencing abrogated CS-induced expression of p-ERK (P＜0.05), which was further enhanced following MGF treatment (P＜0.05). Simultaneously, precondition with U0126 antagonized MGF-enhanced effects on CS-triggered osteogenic differentiation and MMP-1, MMP-2 expression (P＜0.05). Mechano-growth factor regulates cyclic stretch-induced osteogenic differentiation and MMP-1, MMP-2 expression in human periodontal ligament cells by activating MEK/ERK1/2 signaling pathway.
Study Information
pubmed
2019