Down-regulation of long non-coding RNA MEG3 suppresses osteogenic differentiation of periodontal ligament stem cells (PDLSCs) through miR-27a-3p/IGF1 axis in periodontitis

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the roles of long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) maternally expressed gene 3 (MEG3) in osteogenic differentiation of periodontal ligament stem cells (PDLSCs) in periodontitis. Methods: Differentially expressed lncRNAs and mRNAs between periodontitis periodontal ligament tissues and healthy periodontal ligament tissues were selected out using R project. PDLSCs were identified using flow cytometry. Western blot was employed to detect pathway relative proteins. Besides, targeted relationships between lncRNA and miRNA, as well as miRNA and mRNA were verified by dual luciferase reporter gene assay. Osteogenic differentiation of PDLSCs was assessed by alkaline phosphatase (ALP) staining and Alizarin Red Staining (ARS). Markers for osteoblast (Runx2, Osterix, Osteocalcin, Colla1) were detected using western blot. Results: LncRNA MEG3 and IGF1 were both down-regulated, while miR-27a-3p was up-regulated in periodontitis samples compared with healthy samples. Overexpression of MEG3 promoted osteogenic differentiation by enhancing expression of IGF1 yet suppressing expression of miRNA-27a-3p. Meanwhile, the results of ALP and ARS staining indicated that up-regulation of lncRNA MEG3 or IGF1 promoted osteogenic differentiation in PDLSCs, which could be reversed with up-regulation of miRNA-27a-3p. Conclusion: Down-regulation of MEG3 suppressed osteogenic differentiation of PDLSCs through miR-27a3p/IGF1 axis in periodontitis.