Guanylate-Binding Protein 1 Promotes Migration and Invasion of Human Periodontal Ligament Stem Cells

Mesenchymal stem/stromal cells (MSCs) are capable of migrating to sites of injury and inflammation in response to various cytokines to improve tissue repair. Previous studies have shown interferon- gamma (IFN-gamma) promoted migration of the V54/2 cell line and dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs), but the underlying mechanisms remain largely unknown. In this study, we found IFN-gamma induced migration and invasion of periodontal ligament stem cells (PDLSCs) in a dose- dependent manner in vitro. While knockdown of guanylate- binding protein 1 (GBP1) suppressed IFN-gamma- induced migration and invasion, ectopic expression of GBP1 potentiated IFN-gamma- induced migration and invasion of PDLSCs. Furthermore, we demonstrated GBP1 was required for IFN-gamma- induced processing of matrix metallopeptidase 2 (MMP2) in PDLSCs. Our findings indicate that GBP1 promotes IFN-gamma- induced migration and invasion of PDLSCs by MMP2, and GBP1 may serve as a new target to facilitate MSC homing and migration.