IL-17 siRNA promotes human proliferation and osteogenic differentiation of human periodontal ligament stem cells via ERK1/2, JNK and p38 MAPK signaling

Objective: Inhibition of IL-17 on periodontal ligament stem cells (PDLSCs) proliferation osteogenic differentiation had been reported. This study was to investigate the effect of IL-17 on human PDLSCs (hPDLSCs). Methods: Isolated hPDLSCs from healthy fresh premolars were identified and then transfected with IL-17 silencing lentivirus plasmid. Then cell proliferation, colony formation, apoptosis, adipogenic and osteogenic differentiation was detected. Moreover, the activation of ERK1/2, JNK and p38 MAPK signaling was detected. Results: The isolated hPDLSCs were identified with > 99% percentage of STRO-1+/CD146+/CD44+/CD45-cells. When transfected with IL-17 silencing lentivirus plasmid, about 50% percentage was STRO-1+/CD146+/CD44+/CD45+ cells. Moreover, cell proliferation, colony formation, osteogenic differentiation, as well as expression of p-ERK1/2, p-JNK and p-p38 MAPK were significantly enhanced. On contrast, adipogenic differentiations were inhibited by IL-17 silencing. No difference was observed in cell apoptotic percentage before and after transfection. Conclusion: We concluded that IL-17 siRNA administration promoted cell proliferation, colony formation, osteogenic differentiation of hPDLSCs via the activation of ERK1/2, JNK and p38 MAPK signaling.