Characterization and Study of Gene Expression Profiles of Human Periodontal Mesenchymal Stem Cells in Spheroid Cultures by Transcriptome Analysis

A spheroid is known as a three-dimensional culture model, which better simulates the physiological conditions of stem cells. This study is aimed at identifying genes specifically expressed in spheroid-cultured human periodontal ligament mesenchymal stem cells (hPDLMSCs) using RNA-seq analysis to eva...

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Main Authors: Takenori Suga, Michihiko Usui, Satoru Onizuka, Kotaro Sano, Tsuyoshi Sato, Kohji Nakazawa, Wataru Ariyoshi, Tatsuji Nishihara, Keisuke Nakashima
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2021-01-01
Series:Stem Cells International
Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2021/5592804
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author Takenori Suga
Michihiko Usui
Satoru Onizuka
Kotaro Sano
Tsuyoshi Sato
Kohji Nakazawa
Wataru Ariyoshi
Tatsuji Nishihara
Keisuke Nakashima
author_facet Takenori Suga
Michihiko Usui
Satoru Onizuka
Kotaro Sano
Tsuyoshi Sato
Kohji Nakazawa
Wataru Ariyoshi
Tatsuji Nishihara
Keisuke Nakashima
author_sort Takenori Suga
collection DOAJ
description A spheroid is known as a three-dimensional culture model, which better simulates the physiological conditions of stem cells. This study is aimed at identifying genes specifically expressed in spheroid-cultured human periodontal ligament mesenchymal stem cells (hPDLMSCs) using RNA-seq analysis to evaluate their functions. Transcriptome analysis was performed using spheroid and monolayer cultures of hPDLMSCs from four patients. Cluster and Gene Ontology analyses revealed that genes involved in cell-cell adhesion as well as the G2/M and G1/S transitions of mitotic cell cycles were strongly expressed in the monolayer culture group. However, genes involved in the negative regulation of cell proliferation, histone deacetylation, and bone morphogenetic protein signaling were strongly expressed in the spheroid culture group. We focused on the transcription factor nuclear receptor subfamily 4 group A member 2 (NR4A2) among the genes that were strongly expressed in the spheroid culture group and analyzed its function. To confirm the results of the transcriptome analysis, we performed real-time polymerase chain reaction and western blotting analyses. Interestingly, we found that the mRNA and protein expressions of NR4A2 were strongly expressed in the spheroid-cultured hPDLMSCs. Under osteogenic differentiation conditions, we used siRNA to knock down NR4A2 in spheroid-cultured hPDLMSCs to verify its role in osteogenesis. We found that NR4A2 knockdown significantly increased the levels of mRNA expression for osteogenesis-related genes alkaline phosphatase (ALP), Osteopontin (OPN), and type 1 collagen (COL1) (Student’s paired t-test, p<0.05). ALP activity was also significantly increased when compared to the negative control group (Student’s paired t-test, p<0.05). Additionally, spheroid-cultured hPDLMSCs transfected with siNR4A2 were cultured for 12 days, resulting in the formation of significantly larger calcified nodules compared to the negative control group (Student’s paired t-test, p<0.05). On the other hand, NR4A2 knockdown in hPDLMSC spheroid did not affect the levels of chondrogenesis and adipogenesis-related genes under chondrogenic and adipogenic conditions. These results suggest that NR4A2 negatively regulates osteogenesis in the spheroid culture of hPDLMSCs.
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spelling doaj-art-7661066196a2408099c28e5ed53d33f82025-02-03T05:45:19ZengWileyStem Cells International1687-966X1687-96782021-01-01202110.1155/2021/55928045592804Characterization and Study of Gene Expression Profiles of Human Periodontal Mesenchymal Stem Cells in Spheroid Cultures by Transcriptome AnalysisTakenori Suga0Michihiko Usui1Satoru Onizuka2Kotaro Sano3Tsuyoshi Sato4Kohji Nakazawa5Wataru Ariyoshi6Tatsuji Nishihara7Keisuke Nakashima8Division of Periodontology, Department of Oral Function, Kyushu Dental University, 2-6-1 Manazuru, Kokurakita-ku, Kitakyushu 803-8580, JapanDivision of Periodontology, Department of Oral Function, Kyushu Dental University, 2-6-1 Manazuru, Kokurakita-ku, Kitakyushu 803-8580, JapanDivision of Periodontology, Department of Oral Function, Kyushu Dental University, 2-6-1 Manazuru, Kokurakita-ku, Kitakyushu 803-8580, JapanDivision of Periodontology, Department of Oral Function, Kyushu Dental University, 2-6-1 Manazuru, Kokurakita-ku, Kitakyushu 803-8580, JapanDepartment of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Saitama Medical University, 38 Moro-hongou, Moroyama-machi, Iruma-gun, Saitama 350-0495, JapanDepartment of Life and Environment Engineering, The University of Kitakyushu, 1-1 Hibikino, Wakamatsu-ku, Kitakyushu 808-0135, JapanDivision of Infection and Molecular Biology, Department of Health Improvement, Kyushu Dental University, 2-6-1 Manazuru, Kokurakita-ku, Kitakyushu 803-8580, JapanDivision of Infection and Molecular Biology, Department of Health Improvement, Kyushu Dental University, 2-6-1 Manazuru, Kokurakita-ku, Kitakyushu 803-8580, JapanDivision of Periodontology, Department of Oral Function, Kyushu Dental University, 2-6-1 Manazuru, Kokurakita-ku, Kitakyushu 803-8580, JapanA spheroid is known as a three-dimensional culture model, which better simulates the physiological conditions of stem cells. This study is aimed at identifying genes specifically expressed in spheroid-cultured human periodontal ligament mesenchymal stem cells (hPDLMSCs) using RNA-seq analysis to evaluate their functions. Transcriptome analysis was performed using spheroid and monolayer cultures of hPDLMSCs from four patients. Cluster and Gene Ontology analyses revealed that genes involved in cell-cell adhesion as well as the G2/M and G1/S transitions of mitotic cell cycles were strongly expressed in the monolayer culture group. However, genes involved in the negative regulation of cell proliferation, histone deacetylation, and bone morphogenetic protein signaling were strongly expressed in the spheroid culture group. We focused on the transcription factor nuclear receptor subfamily 4 group A member 2 (NR4A2) among the genes that were strongly expressed in the spheroid culture group and analyzed its function. To confirm the results of the transcriptome analysis, we performed real-time polymerase chain reaction and western blotting analyses. Interestingly, we found that the mRNA and protein expressions of NR4A2 were strongly expressed in the spheroid-cultured hPDLMSCs. Under osteogenic differentiation conditions, we used siRNA to knock down NR4A2 in spheroid-cultured hPDLMSCs to verify its role in osteogenesis. We found that NR4A2 knockdown significantly increased the levels of mRNA expression for osteogenesis-related genes alkaline phosphatase (ALP), Osteopontin (OPN), and type 1 collagen (COL1) (Student’s paired t-test, p<0.05). ALP activity was also significantly increased when compared to the negative control group (Student’s paired t-test, p<0.05). Additionally, spheroid-cultured hPDLMSCs transfected with siNR4A2 were cultured for 12 days, resulting in the formation of significantly larger calcified nodules compared to the negative control group (Student’s paired t-test, p<0.05). On the other hand, NR4A2 knockdown in hPDLMSC spheroid did not affect the levels of chondrogenesis and adipogenesis-related genes under chondrogenic and adipogenic conditions. These results suggest that NR4A2 negatively regulates osteogenesis in the spheroid culture of hPDLMSCs.http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2021/5592804
spellingShingle Takenori Suga
Michihiko Usui
Satoru Onizuka
Kotaro Sano
Tsuyoshi Sato
Kohji Nakazawa
Wataru Ariyoshi
Tatsuji Nishihara
Keisuke Nakashima
Characterization and Study of Gene Expression Profiles of Human Periodontal Mesenchymal Stem Cells in Spheroid Cultures by Transcriptome Analysis
Stem Cells International
title Characterization and Study of Gene Expression Profiles of Human Periodontal Mesenchymal Stem Cells in Spheroid Cultures by Transcriptome Analysis
title_full Characterization and Study of Gene Expression Profiles of Human Periodontal Mesenchymal Stem Cells in Spheroid Cultures by Transcriptome Analysis
title_fullStr Characterization and Study of Gene Expression Profiles of Human Periodontal Mesenchymal Stem Cells in Spheroid Cultures by Transcriptome Analysis
title_full_unstemmed Characterization and Study of Gene Expression Profiles of Human Periodontal Mesenchymal Stem Cells in Spheroid Cultures by Transcriptome Analysis
title_short Characterization and Study of Gene Expression Profiles of Human Periodontal Mesenchymal Stem Cells in Spheroid Cultures by Transcriptome Analysis
title_sort characterization and study of gene expression profiles of human periodontal mesenchymal stem cells in spheroid cultures by transcriptome analysis
url http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2021/5592804
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