Downregulation of Linc-RNA activator of myogenesis lncRNA participates in FGF2-mediated proliferation of human periodontal ligament stem cells.

Abstract

Accelerated proliferation of human periodontal ligament stem cells (PDLSCs) is present in periodontitis. It is known that fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF2) regulates the proliferation of PDLSCs, while the function of FGF2 in myogenic cell differentiation is mediated by Linc-RNA Activator of Myogenesis (Linc-RAM) lncRNA. Therefore, Linc-RAM lncRNA may also participate in periodontitis. This study included 28 patients with periodontitis (patient group) and 22 patients without periodontitis but received orthodontic treatment (control group) in the stomatological hospital of Sun Yat-Sen university. Gingival biopsies were obtained from participants. RT-qPCR, cell transfection, cell proliferation assay and western blot were carrying out to analyze the samples. We found that FGF2 mRNA was upregulated, while Linc-RAM was downregulated in PDLSCs derived from periodontitis-affected teeth than in healthy teeth. FGF2 mRNA and Linc-RAM were inversely correlated in both types of PDLSCs. FGF2 overexpression led to inhibited Linc-RAM expression in PDLSCs derived from periodontitis-affected teeth and promoted the proliferation of PDLSCs. Linc-RAM overexpression failed to significantly affect FGF2 expression but attenuated the enhancing effects of FGF2 overexpression on the proliferation of PDLSCs. Therefore, downregulation of Linc-RAM lncRNA may participate in FGF-2 mediated- proliferation of human PDLSCs.