Fig. 6

Negative cementogenesis induced by Si-CTGF in hPDLSCs was motivated by the Cx43 agonist. A Western blotting demonstrated the abundance of CTGF in hPDLSCs treated with Si-CTGF. B Bar chart showed the levels of CTGF in A ratio to the untreated groups. Data are obtained from three independent images. n = 3, *p < 0.05. C Western blotting demonstrated the abundance of Cx43 in hPDLSCs treated with Cx43 agonist ATRA. D Bar chart showed the levels of Cx43 in C ratio to the untreated groups. Data are obtained from three independent images. n = 3, *p < 0.05. E Representative images of ARS indicated the attenuated ability of mineralization induced by Si-CTGF in hPDLSCs was regained by Cx43 agonist ATRA when compared with the untreated groups. F Representative images of ALP staining showed the attenuated ALP activity stimulated by Si-CTGF in hPDLSCs was regained by Cx43 agonist ATRA when in comparison to the untreated groups. G Representative image of the data of mineralization-associated proteins (Runx2, Osx, CAP, Col1) and Cx43 obtained by western blotting showed that the decreased mineralization capacity of CTGF expression was reverted by Cx43 agonist ATRA. H, I Bar chart showed the protein levels of Runx2, Osx, CAP, Col1 and Cx43 in G ratio to the untreated groups. Data are obtained from 3 independent images. n = 3, *p < 0.05. J mRNA expression of Osx, Runx2, ALP, CAP and CEMP, as detected by PCR (n = 3) as detected by PCR