BACKGROUND Stem cells from apical papilla (SCAP) located in the root apex of immature permanent teeth are a reliable cell source for pulp-dentine complex regeneration. Mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) is a biocompatible material which has been widely used in endodontic treatments. The aim of this study was to elucidate the regulatory role of MTA in the proliferation and differentiation of SCAP. METHODS Cell viability was detected by Cell counting kit-8. Characteristics of SCAP were confirmed by Flow cytometric (FCM) analysis and alizarin red staining. Then, MTA-mediated osteo/odontogenic differentiation of SCAP was investigated by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. The effect of MAPKs on MTA-mediated osteo/odontogenic differentiation was evaluated by western blot analysis. RESULTS There was no significant difference in cell viability between the control group and the group with lower concentrations of MTA. However, higher concentrations of MTA could inhibit proliferation of SCAP. It is demonstrated that the ALP activity were enhanced, the mRNA and protein expression of BSP, OCN, DSPP, Runx2 were up-regulated. In addition, phosphorylation proteins of ERK, p38 were activated through western blot analysis. CONCLUSIONS MTA at appropriate concentration could enhance osteo/odontogenic differentiation of SCAP by activating p38 and ERK signaling pathways. This study provides a new idea for the clinical application of MTA and the treatment of endodontic diseases.

中文翻译：

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ERK/p38 MAPKs 信号通路对 MTA 介导的根尖乳头干细胞成骨/牙源性分化的影响：一项体外研究。


背景技术来自位于未成熟恒牙根尖的根尖乳头（SCAP）的干细胞是牙髓-牙本质复合体再生的可靠细胞来源。三氧化二矿物质聚集体（MTA）是一种生物相容性材料，已广泛应用于牙髓治疗。本研究的目的是阐明MTA在SCAP增殖和分化中的调节作用。方法采用Cell counting kit-8检测细胞活力。通过流式细胞术（FCM）分析和茜素红染色证实了 SCAP 的特征。然后，通过逆转录聚合酶链反应研究了 MTA 介导的 SCAP 成骨/牙源性分化。通过蛋白质印迹分析评估 MAPK 对 MTA 介导的骨/牙源性分化的影响。结果 对照组与低浓度MTA组细胞活力无显着差异。然而，较高浓度的MTA可以抑制SCAP的增殖。结果表明，ALP活性增强，BSP、OCN、DSPP、Runx2 mRNA和蛋白表达上调。此外，通过蛋白质印迹分析，ERK、p38的磷酸化蛋白被激活。结论适当浓度的MTA可以通过激活p38和ERK信号通路来增强SCAP的成骨/牙源性分化。该研究为MTA的临床应用和牙髓病的治疗提供了新的思路。