BACKGROUND: Osteogenic differentiation of periodontal ligament stem cells (PDLSCs) is associated with periodontitis. It has been reported that long noncoding RNA X-inactive specific transcript (lncRNA XIST) is upregulated and microRNA-214-3p (miR-214-3p) is downregulated in PDLSCs after osteogenic induction. However, whether XIST is involved in osteogenic differentiation of PDLSCs via miR-214-3p has not been reported.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: The protein expressions of osteogenic markers alkaline phosphatase (ALP), osteocalcin (OCN), and runt-related transcription factor 2 (RUNX2) were examined by Western blot. The levels of miR-214-3p and XIST were determined by qRT-PCR. The relationship between miR-214-3p and XIST was evaluated by luciferase reporter, RNA immunoprecipitation, and RNA pulldown assays.

RESULTS: We found that XIST was increased and miR-214-3p was decreased in PDLSCs after osteogenic stimulation. Silencing of XIST decreased the protein expressions of ALP, OCN, and RUNX2, and also decreased ALP activity. Higher miR-214-3p levels also inhibited osteogenic differentiation of PDLSCs. XIST interacted with miR-214-3p and depletion of miR-214-3p mitigated XIST absence-mediated suppression of osteogenic differentiation.

CONCLUSIONS: XIST participates in osteogenic differentiation of PDLSCs by sponging miR-214-3p.

Keywords: Osteosarcoma, periodontitis, Adolescent, Down-Regulation, Osteoblasts, Osteogenesis, Periodontal Ligament, primary cell culture, RNA, Small Interfering