Stomatology ›› 2025, Vol. 45 ›› Issue (7): 518-524.doi: 10.13591/j.cnki.kqyx.2025.07.007

• Basic and Clinical Research • Previous Articles     Next Articles

The effect of Nel-like type 1 molecule on the proliferation and osteogenic differentiation of stem cells from human exfoliated deciduous teeth

YU Chen1, HE Longfei2, FENG Yao3, GE Xiao2, CUI Yunting1, LI Ti2(), YU Miao4()   

  1. School of Stomatology, Shandong Second Medical University, Weifang 261000, China
  • Received:2024-07-08 Online:2025-07-28 Published:2025-07-24

Abstract:

Objective To investigate the effects of Nel-like type 1 molecule (NELL-1) on the proliferation and osteogenic differentiation of stem cells from human exfoliated deciduous teeth (SHEDs). Methods SHEDs was isolated, cultured, and identified. The third generation SHEDs were used for subsequent experiments. SHEDs were divided into 4 groups, and NELL-1 was added to each group at concentrations of 0 (control group), 50, 100, and 200 ng/mL. Cell activity was measured by CCK-8 assay and crystal violet staining. The changes in osteogenic ability were detected by alkaline phosphatase activity. The expression levels of osteogenesis-related genes ALP, OCN and Runx-2 by RT-qPCR were detected. Western blot was used to detect the expression of osteogenesis-related proteins ALP, Runx-2 and Col-Ⅰ. Results SHEDs exhibited stem cell characteristics, and 50 ng/mL of NELL-1 protein had a promoting effect on SHEDs proliferation (P<0.01). Alkaline phosphatase activity assay showed that after the addition of NELL-1, the osteogenic effect of each group was better than that of the control group and 50 ng/mL of NELL-1 was the best (P<0.05). RT-qPCR and Western blot results showed that 50 ng/mL of NELL-1 significantly promoted the expression of osteoblast-related genes including ALP, OCN and Runx-2 and the protein expression of ALP, Runx-2 and Col-Ⅰ (P<0.05). Conclusion NELL-1 can promote the proliferation and osteogenic differentiation of SHEDs.

Key words: Nel-like type 1 molecule, stem cells from human exfoliated deciduous teeth, osteogenic differentiation

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