[The regulation of PERK on osteogenic differentiation of human periodontal ligament cells].

PURPOSE: To explore whether RNA-activated protein kinase-like ER resident kinase(PERK) has a regulatory effect on the osteogenic differentiation of human periodontal ligament cells (PDLCs).

METHODS

PDLCs were primarily cultured, and siRNA was used to silence the expression of PERK in PDLCs. PDLCs were cultured in osteoblast differentiation-induction medium. Subsequently, the osteogenic differentiation capacity was evaluated using alkaline phosphatase(ALP) staining and alizarin red staining.

RESULTS

After osteogenic induction culture of PDLCs in vitro, ALP and alizarin red staining were enhanced, and the deposition of mineral salts increased. Meanwhile, the expression of phosphorylated PERK(p-PERK) in osteogenic PDLCs was higher than cells in the control group. Transfection of si-PERK significantly downregulated PERK protein expression in PDLCs (P＜0.05). ALP and alizarin red staining showed that the PERK-/- group had markedly lower ALP staining intensity and calcium salt deposition than the osteogenic induction group, along with decreased activating transcription factor 4(ATF4) protein expression.

CONCLUSIONS

PERK regulates the osteogenic differentiation of PDLCs.