Effect of TNF-α on the ability of stem cells from human exfoliated deciduous teeth to promote osteoclastogenesis

Objective: To investigate the effect of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) on the ability of stem cells from human exfoliated deciduous teeth (SHED) to promote osteoclastogenesis.

Methods: SHED were obtained from deciduous teeth and isolated, purified, cultured in vitro. An indirect co-culture system of SHED and osteoclast precursor peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) was established. The expression of osteoclastic gene from PBMCs and NF-κB from SHED were determined after treatment with TNF-α (0, 5, 10, 50, 100 ng/mL) by real-time RT-PCR and Western blot. SPSS 19.0 software package was used for statistical analysis.

Results: Under the stimulation of 10ng/mL TNF-α, the expression of CTSK and TRAP was markedly upregulated in PBMCs. Meanwhile, the results of Western blot and real-time RT-PCR showed that the expression of cytoplasmic phosphorylated inhibitor of NF-κB α (p-IκBα) and nuclear p65 in SHED were significantly higher than that without TNF-α stimulation after 10 ng/mL TNF-α treatment.

Conclusions: TNF-α regulates the ability of SHED to promote osteoclastogenesis through NF-κB signal pathways.