AUTHOR=Li Mengyue , Wang Qiang , Han Qi , Wu Jiameng , Zhu Hongfan , Fang Yixuan , Bi Xiuting , Chen Yue , Yao Chao , Wang Xiaoying 

TITLE=Novel Molecule Nell-1 Promotes the Angiogenic Differentiation of Dental Pulp Stem Cells

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Physiology

VOLUME=12

YEAR=2021

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/physiology/articles/10.3389/fphys.2021.703593

DOI=10.3389/fphys.2021.703593

ISSN=1664-042X

ABSTRACT=<sec><title>Introduction</title><p>This work aimed to reveal the crucial role of Nell-1 in the angiogenic differentiation of human dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs) alone or co-cultured with human umbilical vein endothelial cell (HUVECs) <italic>in vitro</italic> and whether this molecule is involved in the pulp exposure model <italic>in vivo</italic>.</p></sec><sec><title>Methods</title><p>Immunofluorescence was conducted to ascertain the location of Nell-1 on DPSCs, HUVECs, and normal rat dental tissues. RT-PCR, Western blot, and ELISA were performed to observe the expression levels of angiogenic markers and determine the angiogenic differentiation of Nell-1 on DPSCs alone or co-cultured with HUVECs, as well as <italic>in vitro</italic> tube formation assay. Blood vessel number for all groups was observed and compared using immunohistochemistry by establishing a rat pulp exposure model.</p></sec><sec><title>Results</title><p>Nell-1 is highly expressed in the nucleus of DPSCs and HUVECs and is co-expressed with angiogenic markers in normal rat pulp tissues. Hence, Nell-1 can promote the angiogenic marker expression in DPSCs alone and co-cultured with other cells and can enhance angiogenesis <italic>in vitro</italic> as well as in the pulp exposure model.</p></sec><sec><title>Conclusion</title><p>Nell-1 may play a positive role in the angiogenic differentiation of DPSCs.</p></sec>