Expression of Caveolin-1 in Periodontal Tissue and Its Role in Osteoblastic and Cementoblastic Differentiation In Vitro

It has been previously reported that caveolin-1 (Cav-1) knockout mice exhibit increased bone size and stiffness. However, the expression and role of Cav-1 on periodontal tissue is poorly understood. The aim of this study was to investigate the immunohistochemical expression of Cav-1 in the mouse periodontium and explore the role of Cav-1 on osteoblastic and cementoblastic differentiation in human periodontal ligament cells (hPDLCs), cementoblasts, and osteoblasts. To reveal the molecular mechanisms of Cav-1 activity, associated signaling pathways were also examined. Immunolocalization of Cav-1 was studied in mice periodontal tissue. Differentiation was evaluated by ALP activity, alizarin red S staining, and RT-PCR for marker genes. Signal transduction was analyzed using Western blotting and confocal microscopy. Cav-1 expression was observed in hPDLCs, cementoblasts, and osteoblasts of the periodontium both in vivo and in vitro. Inhibition of Cav-1 expression by methyl-β-cyclodextrin (MβCD) and knockdown of Cav-1 by siRNA promoted osteoblastic and cementoblastic differentiation by increasing ALP activity, calcium nodule formation, and mRNA expression of differentiation markers in hPDLCs, cementoblasts, and osteoblasts. Osteogenic medium-induced BMP-2 and BMP-7 expression, and phosphorylation of Smad1/5/8 were enhanced by MβCD and siRNA knockdown of Cav-1, which was reversed by BMP inhibitor noggin. MβCD and Cav-1 siRNA knockdown increased OM-induced AMPK, Akt, GSK3β, and CREB phosphorylation, which were reversed by Ara-A, a specific AMPK inhibitor. Moreover, OM-induced activation of p38, ERK, JNK, and NF-κB was enhanced by Cav-1 inhibition. This study demonstrates, for the first time, that Cav-1 is expressed in developing periodontal tissue and in vitro in periodontal-related cells. Cav-1 inhibition positively regulates osteoblastic differentiation in hPDLCs, cementoblasts, and osteoblasts via BMP, AMPK, MAPK, and NF-κB pathway. Thus, Cav-1 inhibition may be a novel molecular target for therapeutic approaches in periodontitis or osteolytic disease.