Differential expression of long noncoding RNAs in SDF-1α-induced odontogenic differentiation of human dental pulp stem cells

SDF-1α cotreatment was shown to have synergistic effects on BMP-2-induced odontogenic differentiation of human apical dental papillary stem cells (SCAP) both in vitro and in vivo. Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) have an important role in the odontogenic differentiation of dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs). We examined the altered expression of lncRNAs in SDF-1α-induced odontogenic differentiation of DPSCs by lncRNA microarray and quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) analyses. Alterations in lncRNA expression during odontogenic differentiation of DPSCs were identified. Moreover, bioinformatic analysis [Gene Ontology (GO) analysis and coding-noncoding gene coexpression (CNC) analysis] was conducted to predict the interactions of lncRNAs and identify core regulatory factors in SDF-1α-induced odontogenic differentiation of DPSCs. The microarray analysis identified 206 differentially expressed lncRNAs (134 lncRNAs with upregulated expression and 72 with downregulated expression) at 7 days post‑treatment. The data demonstrated that one lncRNA, AC080037.1, regulates SDF-1α-induced odontogenic differentiation of DPSCs. Our data showed that lncRNA AC080037.1 siRNA suppresses DPSCs migration and the expression of Rho GTPase induced by SDF-1α. Moreover, AC080037.1 knockdown significantly affected SDF-1α- and BMP-2-induced mineralized nodule formation and strongly suppressed Runt-related factor-2 (RUNX-2), DMP-1 and DSPP expression in DPSCs. Our results highlighted the significant involvement of one lncRNA, AC080037.1, in the positive regulation of the osteo/odontogenic differentiation of DPSCs and indicated that lncRNA AC080037.1 could be a potential target in regenerative endodontics.These findings reveal how lncRNAs are involved in regulating the SDF-1α-induced odontogenic differentiation of DPSCs, which may further advance translational studies of pulp tissue engineering.