Fig. 5

Positive cementogenesis induced by CTGF was reversed by ablation of Cx43. A Western blotting demonstrated the abundance of Cx43 in hPDLSCs treated with Si-Cx43. B Bar chart showed the levels of Cx43 in Fig. 6A ratio to the untreated groups. Data are obtained from three independent images. n = 3, *p < 0.05. C Representative images of ARS indicated the attenuated ability of mineralization induced by Si-Cx43 in hPDLSCs compared with the untreated groups. D Representative images of ARS staining showed the CTGF-mediated enhancement in mineralized nodules was reversed by the addition of Si-Cx43. E Representative images of ALP staining showed the CTGF-mediated enhancement in ALP activity was reversed by Si-Cx43. F Representative images of the data of mineralization-associated proteins (Runx2, Osx, CAP, Col1) and Cx43 obtained by western blotting showed that increased mineralization capacity of CTGF expression was reverted by Si-Cx43. G–K Bar chart showed the levels of Runx2, Osx, CAP, Col1 and Cx43 in Fig. 6F ratio to the untreated control. Data are obtained from three independent images. n = 3, *p < 0.05. L–P mRNA expression of Runx2, Osx, ALP, CAP and CEMP, as detected by PCR (n = 3) as detected by PCR