TLR3 ligation affects differentiation and stemness properties of gingival mesenchymal stem/progenitor cells. (11th June 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Mekhemar, Mohamed; Tölle, Johannes; Dörfer, Christof; Fawzy El‐Sayed, Karim
• Is Part Of: Journal of clinical periodontology. Volume 47:Number 8(2020)
• Page Start: 991
• Page End: 1005
• Publication Date: 2020-06-11
• Subjects: gingiva -- inflammation -- polymerase chain reaction -- stem cells -- stemness -- toll‐like receptor; Periodontics -- Periodicals; 617.6
• DOI: 10.1111/jcpe.13323
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0303-6979

Abstract

Abstract: Aim: Toll‐like receptors are key players in mesenchymal stem/progenitor cells' micro‐environmental crosstalk, endorsing various biological reactions. For the first time, this study investigates the effects of TLR3‐ligation on gingival mesenchymal stem/progenitor cells (G‐MSCs) stemness and differentiation properties. Material and Methods: G‐MSCs ( n = 5) were isolated, sorted using anti‐STRO‐1 antibodies, and sowed on culture dishes to generate colony‐forming units (CFUs), and their stem/progenitor cells' features and TLR3 expression were characterized. Subsequently, TLR3 activation of G‐MSCs via Poly (I:C) was done, followed by an analysis of the expression of pluripotency‐related factors, mesenchymal stemness‐associated surface markers, and the ability to form CFUs and multilineage differentiation, using qualitative and quantitative histochemistry and RT‐PCR. Results: G‐MSCs demonstrated all predefined stem/progenitor cells' characteristics and TLR3 expression. TLR3‐activated G‐MSCs showed a significantly reduced ability to form CFUs and pluripotency transcriptional factors expression. Mesenchymal stem/progenitor cell‐associated surface markers and multilinear differentiation potential were significantly higher following TLR3 ligation ( p < .05, Wilcoxon signed rank test). Conclusions: TLR3‐mediated activation maintains the mesenchymal stem/progenitor cells phenotype and drives G‐MSCs' differentiation and commitment, with a shift away from an undifferentiated pluripotent cellular phenotype. This distinctive modulation could influence potential therapeutic applications of G‐MSCs.