Histone deacetylase inhibition with valproic acid downregulates osteocalcin gene expression in human dental pulp stem cells and osteoblasts: evidence for HDAC2 involvement.

ABSTRACT: Adult mesenchymal stem cells, such as dental pulp stem cells, are of great interest for cell-based tissue engineering strategies because they can differentiate into a variety of tissue-specific cells, above all, into osteoblasts. In recent years, epigenetic studies on stem cells have indicated that specific histone alterations and modifying enzymes play essential roles in cell differentiation. However, although several studies have reported that valproic acid (VPA)-a selective inhibitor of histone deacetylases (HDAC)-enhances osteoblast differentiation, data on osteocalcin expression-a late-stage marker of differentiation-are limited. We therefore decided to study the effect of VPA on dental pulp stem cell differentiation. A low concentration of VPA did not reduce cell viability, prolifera

SUBMITTER: Paino F 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3963447 | biostudies-literature | 2014 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature