Fig. 5

MSX1 regulated odontogenesis of DPSCs through the ERK pathway. a MSX1 knockdown significantly decreased ERK phosphorylation (pERK) compared with control. b DPSCs transfected with mutant (MT) MSX1 expressed lower levels of phosphorylated ERK in comparison with wild-type (WT) MSX1. c, d Alizarin Red S staining showed that U0126 decreased odontogenesis of DPSCs compared with vector. The increased mineralized nodule formation induced by MSX1 transfection was blocked after the inhibition of the ERK pathway. e, f Quantitative RT-PCR showed that U0126 decreased dentin sialophosphoprotein (DSPP) and bone sialoprotein (BSP) expression compared with vector. The increased expression of DSPP and BSP induced by wild-type MSX1 transfection was attenuated after inhibition of the ERK signaling pathway. ***P < 0.001. Data are expressed as the mean ± SD. Each experiment was repeated three times with n ≥ 3 samples per group. siRNA small interfering RNA