Fig. 6

AREG promotes differentiation of DPSCs by activation of the ERK, JNK, and AKT pathways. A Protein levels of ERK and p-ERK, JNK and p-JNK, p38 and p-p38, and ATK and p-AKT treated with AREG at different time points (0, 30, 60, and 90 min) shown by Western blotting in DPSCs. The full-length gels and blots are included in Additional file 1: Fig. S2A. B Quantitative analysis of the gray intensity of A. C Treatment of DPSCs with specific ERK, JNK, or PI3K inhibitors (U0126, SP600125, and LY294002, respectively). Protein levels of ERK and p-ERK, JNK and p-JNK, p-AKT/AKT are shown by Western blotting at the indicated times. The full-length gels and blots are included in Additional file 1: Fig. S2B. D Quantitative analysis of the ratio of p-ERK/ERK, p-JNK/JNK and p-AKT/AKT from C. E Alizarin Red S staining showing mineralized nodule formation in DPSCs treated with the specific inhibitors. F Quantitative analysis of Alizarin Red S staining (n = 5, *P < 0.05). G Western blots showing protein expression of odontoblastic markers (DSPP, RUNX2, BSP, and OCN) in different groups at day 14. The full-length gels and blots are included in Additional file 1: Fig. S2C. H Quantitative analysis of data presented in G. Data represent means ± SDs, n = 3, *P < 0.05, **P < 0.01