Language：English   Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)   Publisher：Stem Cell Research and Therapy  

BACKGROUND: Biliary atresia (BA) is a nongenetic cholangiopathy characterized by biliary obliteration. However, the underlying pathological mechanism remains unclear. We aimed to explore the epigenetic BA pathology by using BA-specific deciduous dental pulp stem cells (BA-SHED), which develop in parallel with cholangiocyte progenitor cells in human embryos. METHODS: BA-SHED were isolated from human exfoliated deciduous teeth of patients with BA using the colony-forming unit fibroblast method. After sequential stimulation with cytokines and chemicals in cultured BA-SHED, the in vitro bile duct-forming capacity was analyzed using quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) and immunofluorescence. Expression of hepatocyte nuclear factor 6 (HNF6) and transforming growth factor beta receptor 2 (TGFBR2) was analyzed using immunoblotting and RT-qPCR. The regulation of chromatin architecture at the HNF6 promoter was analyzed using nuclease-accessible chromatin-qPCR and chromatin immunoprecipitation-qPCR. RESULTS: BA-SHED showed an inheritable increase in HNF6 levels, resulting in TGFBR2 suppression and deficiency in bile duct formation. BA-SHED also accumulated Brahma and P65 complexes around the HNF6 promoter with chromatin architecture remodeling. Tumor necrosis factor-alpha and interferon-gamma co-stimulation mimicked the epigenetic signatures of BA-SHED. CONCLUSION: The present epigenetic memory in BA-SHED implies that BA-SHED imprint bile duct deficiency through TGFBR2 dysregulated by the HNF6 promoter activation epigenetically. Thus, BA-SHED are a potential model for expanding our knowledge in BA research.

DOI： 10.1186/s13287-026-04952-3

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Language：English   Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)   Publisher：The Company of Biologists  

ABSTRACT

Non-excitable cells express sodium voltage-gated channel alpha subunit 1 gene and protein (known as SCN1A and NaV1.1, respectively); however, the functions of NaV1.1 are unclear. In this study, we investigated the role of SCN1A and NaV1.1 in human mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). We found that SCN1A was expressed in MSCs, and abundant expression of NaV1.1 was observed in the endoplasmic reticulum; however, this expression was not found to be related to Na+ currents. SCN1A-silencing reduced MSC proliferation and delayed the cell cycle in the S phase. SCN1A silencing also suppressed the protein levels of CDK2 and AKT (herein referring to total AKT), despite similar mRNA expression, and inhibited AKT phosphorylation in MSCs. A cycloheximide-chase assay showed that SCN1A-silencing induced CDK2 but not AKT protein degradation in MSCs. A proteolysis inhibition assay using epoxomicin, bafilomycin A1 and NH4Cl revealed that both the ubiquitin–proteasome system and the autophagy and endo-lysosome system were irrelevant to CDK2 and AKT protein reduction in SCN1A-silenced MSCs. The AKT inhibitor LY294002 did not affect the degradation and nuclear localization of CDK2 in MSCs. Likewise, the AKT activator SC79 did not attenuate the SCN1A-silencing effects on CDK2 in MSCs. These results suggest that NaV1.1 contributes to the cell cycle of MSCs by regulating the post-translational control of AKT and CDK2.

DOI： 10.1242/jcs.261732

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Other Link： https://journals.biologists.com/jcs/article-pdf/doi/10.1242/jcs.261732/3569989/jcs261732.pdf

Language：English   Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)   Publisher：Scientific Reports  

Alveolar bone loss caused by periodontal disease eventually leads to tooth loss. Periodontal ligament stem cells (PDLSCs) are the tissue-specific cells for maintaining and repairing the periodontal ligament, cementum, and alveolar bone. Here, we investigated the role of erythropoietin receptor (EPOR), which regulates the microenvironment-modulating function of mesenchymal stem cells, in PDLSC-based periodontal therapy. We isolated PDLSCs from patients with chronic periodontal disease and healthy donors, referred to as PD-PDLSCs and Cont-PDLSCs, respectively. PD-PDLSCs exhibited reduced potency of periodontal tissue regeneration and lower expression of EPOR compared to Cont-PDLSCs. EPOR-silencing suppressed the potency of Cont-PDLSCs mimicking PD-PDLSCs, whereas EPO-mediated EPOR activation rejuvenated the reduced potency of PD-PDLSCs. Furthermore, we locally transplanted EPOR-silenced and EPOR-activated PDLSCs into the gingiva around the teeth of ligament-induced periodontitis model mice and demonstrated that EPOR in PDLSCs participated in the regeneration of the periodontal ligament, cementum, and alveolar bone in the ligated teeth. The EPOR-mediated paracrine function of PDLSCs maintains periodontal immune suppression and bone metabolic balance via osteoclasts and osteoblasts in the periodontitis model mice. Taken together, these results suggest that EPOR signaling is crucial for PDLSC-based periodontal regeneration and paves the way for the development of novel options for periodontal therapy.

DOI： 10.1038/s41598-024-57361-y

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