Berberine mediates root remodeling in an immature tooth with apical periodontitis by regulating stem cells from apical papilla differentiation

作者：Yujia Cui, Jing Xie, Yujie Fu, Chuwen Li, Liwei Zheng, Dingming Huang, Changchun Zhou, Jianxun Sun, Xuedong Zhou · 发表于：International Journal of Oral Science · 年份：2020 · DOI：10.1038/s41368-020-0085-7 · 被引用次数：40 · 研究领域：Proteoglycans and glycosaminoglycans research、Berberine and alkaloids research、Endodontics and Root Canal Treatments

Once pulp necrosis or apical periodontitis occurs on immature teeth, the weak root and open root apex are challenging to clinicians. Berberine (BBR) is a potential medicine for bone disorders, therefore, we proposed to apply BBR in root canals to enhance root repair in immature teeth. An in vivo model of immature teeth with apical periodontitis was established in rats, and root canals were filled with BBR, calcium hydroxide or sterilized saline for 3 weeks. The shape of the roots was analyzed by micro-computed tomography and histological staining. In vitro, BBR was introduced into stem cells from apical papilla (SCAPs). Osteogenic differentiation of stem cells from apical papilla was investigated by alkaline phosphatase activity, mineralization ability, and gene expression of osteogenic makers. The signaling pathway, which regulated the osteogenesis of SCAPs was evaluated by quantitative real time PCR, Western blot analysis, and immunofluorescence. In rats treated with BBR, more tissue was formed, with longer roots, thicker root walls, and smaller apex diameters. In addition, we found that BBR promoted SCAPs osteogenesis in a time-dependent and concentration-dependent manner. BBR induced the expression of β-catenin and enhanced β-catenin entering into the nucleus, to up-regulate more runt-related nuclear factor 2 downstream. BBR enhanced root repair in immature teeth with apical periodontitis by activating the canonical Wnt/β-catenin pathway in SCAPs.