Activation of Autophagy Attenuates Declination of Osteogenesis in Aged PDLSCs

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to elucidate the underlying mechanism of autophagy in senescent PDLSCs. Futhermore, to analyze whether the osteogenic ability of senescent PDLSCs can be restored by activating autophagy.
Methods: Using the limiting dilution technique, human PDLSCs were isolated and expanded. Osteogenic induction Assay were used for PDLSCs in vitro, osteogenic ability were detected by Alizarin Red S Staining and Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) Staining. Western Blot Analysis were applied to detect osteo-related proteins and autophagy-related proteins. Real-time PCR Analysis were applied to detect the expression of osteo-related mRNA.
Results: With the increase of age, the osteogenic ability of PDLSCs decreased through ALP staining and Alizarin Red S staining. The depression of autophagy activity were also declined by age through western blot analysis. On the other hand, with the increase of age, adipose genesis ability were increased. By activating autophagy, the osteogenic property of senescent PDLSCs can be partly restored.
Conclusions: The osteogenic ability of senescent PDLSCs can be partially improved by activating autophagy level.