ALL Metrics
-
Views
-
Downloads
Get PDF
Get XML
Cite
Export
Track
Research Article
Revised

Fibroblast growth factor-6 enhances CDK2 and MAKT expression in microvesicles derived from human stem cells extracted from exfoliated deciduous teeth

[version 2; peer review: 1 approved with reservations]
PUBLISHED 07 Jun 2018
Author details Author details
OPEN PEER REVIEW
REVIEWER STATUS

Abstract

Background: Stem cells from human exfoliated deciduous teeth (SHEDs) are considered one of the most convenient sources of adult stem cells. This study aimed to examine the effect of fibroblast growth factor 6 (FGF-6) on SHEDs and evaluate CDK2 and MATK gene expression in SHED-derived microvesicles (MVs). SHEDs were cultured from deciduous teeth pulp.
Methods: SHEDs were divided into two groups: the control group and test groups, with and without FGF-6 supplementation, respectively. After the third passage, SHED proliferation was assessed by MTT assay. MVs were purified and CDK2 and MATK gene expression was assessed by real time polymerase chain reaction. SHEDs were identified by their positivity for CD90 and CD73, and negativity for CD45 and CD34.
Results: SHEDs proliferation in the test group was significantly higher than in the control group (P<0.001). mRNA from SHED-derived MVs from the test group exhibited a markedly elevated expression of CDK2 and MAKT, (P<0.002 and P<0.005, respectively) in comparison with those of the control group. FGF-6 enhanced the proliferation of SHEDs. Proliferation enhancement is favorable for the production of a large number of stem cells, which will then be beneficial for cell-based therapies.
Conclusions: CDK2 and MAKT genes in SHED-derived MVs can be used as molecular biomarkers for SHED proliferation.

Keywords

Stem cells from human exfoliated deciduous teeth, fibroblast growth factor 6, microvesicles, CDK2, MAKT

Revised Amendments from Version 1

Marwa Sameer has been removed as an author, as they were mistakenly included on the author list in the previous version. Nothing else has been changed.

See the authors' detailed response to the review by Thanaphum Osathanon
See the authors' detailed response to the review by Abbas Ali Khademi

Introduction

Stem cells from human exfoliated deciduous teeth (SHEDs) are a type of adult stem cell acquired from the dental pulp of human exfoliated deciduous teeth. SHEDs stand out from other types of adult stem cells since they possess a remarkable growth and proliferation rate, providing an adequate stem cell source for any prospective clinical or laboratory use. The natural exfoliation of deciduous teeth provides a good chance to procure and isolate SHEDs without effort or complications, and with little or no trauma. SHEDs have the capacity to differentiate into many cell types, including chondrocytes, osteoblasts, adipocytes, cardiomyocytes and neurons13

Fibroblast growth factors (FGFs) are a family of secreted cytokine proteins that have a role in the regulation and direction of numerous cellular processes, including proliferation, differentiation, migration or metabolism4. FGF-6 is part of the FGF-4 subfamily of canonical FGFs. Like the other members of FGF-4 subfamily, FGF-6 is a secreted protein with a cleavable N-terminal signal peptide that binds and activates FGF receptors as an extracellular mediator4. Despite the fact that FGF-6 expression is almost completely limited to myogenesis5, it was found to exert a proliferating effect on human osteoblasts under specific conditions6.

Recently, microvesicles (MVs) have been identified as an approach deployed by stem cells as a mean of mediating intercellular interactions7. These phospholipid membrane-bound MVs partake in intercellular interactions, such as proliferation, differentiation and gene expression alteration, via their content of mRNA, miRNA and transfer proteins7,8.

Human liver stem cell-derived MVs were found to have a role in hepatic regeneration, since they transfer proteins and mRNAs associated with the control of transcription, translation, proliferation, and apoptosis to hepatocytes9. Cyclin-dependent kinase 2 (CDK2) and megakaryocyte-associated tyrosine kinase (MATK) genes are associated with cellular proliferation as they were found in the mRNA of purified MVs at the time of microarray analysis and reverse transcription-quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR)9.

CDK2 is the catalytic subunit of the cyclin-dependent protein kinase complex, which controls advancement through the cell cycle via its involvement in the G1 to S phase transition10,11. MATK has been identified by Avraham et al. as an intracellular tyrosine kinase that participates in the proliferation and survival of megakaryocyte progenitors12. Furthermore, Findings by Herrera et al. demonstrated that MATK conveyed by MVs was one of the genes responsible of liver stem cell proliferation9.

The current study was performed to evaluate SHED proliferation upon supplementation with FGF-6 in comparison with SHEDs in regular culture medium without FGF-6 supplementation; it also aimed to assess the effect of FGF-6 supplementation on CDK2 and MAKT gene expression in purified proliferated stem cell MVs.

Methods

Sample collection

A total of 28 deciduous teeth indicated for extraction were collected from 25 patients at the Pediatric Dentistry Department in Faculty of Dental Medicine, Cairo University. Patient age ranged from 7 to 12 years. Collection was done at the pediatric clinic over 3 days, we looked for deciduous teeth indicated for extraction due to their natural shedding time in order to make room for their permanent successors, so no ethical concerns would arise. Deciduous tooth collection was conducted after obtainment of the guardians’ written informed consent at Pediatric Dentistry Department in the Faculty of Dental Medicine Cairo University, with the approval of the Ethics Committee of the Faculty of Oral and Dental Medicine, Cairo University. Subjects were identified by their treating physician, following which we contacted the guardians of the subjects for consent to use the extracted teeth. Stem cell propagation (at the Medical Biochemistry Department in the Faculty of Medicine Cairo University) was performed in accordance with recommendations and with the approval of the Ethics Committee of the Faculty of Oral and Dental Medicine, Cairo University.

Deciduous tooth surfaces were washed several times with Dulbecco’s PBS (Biowest, USA). Dental pulp was extracted delicately from teeth using a sterile endodontic barbed broach and placed in falcon tube containing PBS (Biowest, USA).

SHED culture and characterization

SHEDs culture and characterization were done after taking established procedures into account13. A total of 3 mg collagenase type II (Sigma Aldrich, USA) was dissolved in PBS to digest the extracted dental pulp tissues for 1 h at 37°C in a 5% CO2 incubator and shaken well at 10 min intervals until the tissues were fully digested. The samples were strained using a cell strainer (40 µm nylon PP) (Bio Basic, Inc., Canada) to remove tissue debris and then centrifuged for 10 min at 3000 rpm at 5°C to obtain pellets of isolated cells. The supernatant fluid was discarded and cell suspension was obtained by pipetting cells in RPMI 1640 culture medium (Biowest, USA). Next, the isolated cell pellets were seeded in 75 cm3 tissue culture flasks for cell culture propagation. Culture medium (RPMI 1640) (was supplemented with 1% Pen/Strep solution (Lonza, USA) and 10% fetal bovine serum (FBS) (Lonza, USA) were supplemented to the culture media to achieve cell propagation at 37°C in humidified CO2 incubator for 7–10 days, with medium changes every 3 days.

Cells were identified as being mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) by their morphology and adherence to the plastic flask. In addition, quantification of several expressed MSCs markers was conducted using flow cytometry analysis. Adherent cells were trypsinized and subjected to centrifugation to form cell pellet. Next, 1×105 cells were incubated with 10 μl monoclonal CD90 PE (catalog number FAB2067A; R&D Systems), CD73PE (catalogue number FAB5795P; R&D systems) CD34 PE (catalogue number FAB72271P; R&D Systems) and CD45 PE (catalog number DAB1430P; R&D Systems) antibodies, at 4°C in the dark. Same species isotypes served as a negative control, Mouse IgG1 PE conjugated antibody (catalog number IC002P; R&D Systems). After a 20 min incubation, 2 ml PBS containing 2% FBS was added to a tube of monoclonal treated cells. The mixtures were then centrifuged for 5 min at 2500 rpm, followed by discarding the supernatant and re-suspending cells in 500 μl PBS containing 2% FBS. Cell analysis was performed using a CYTOMICS FC 500 Flow Cytometer and analyzed using CXP Software version 2.2.

SHEDs proliferation process and passaging

Passaging of SHEDs was done according to established protocols14, with modifications for this experiment. Sub-culturing and passaging was done when adherent cells primary culture (passage zero) have reached 80% confluence. 103–105 cells were seeded into 24-well plates prior to grouping and subsequent passaging till reached third passages. Seeded cells were divided into two groups: control group (SHEDs untreated with FGF-6) and test group (SHEDs treated with FGF6). FGF-6 was added at concentration 20 ng/ml for test group.

Cell viability

MTT reagent, supplied ready for use after the third passage of the SHEDs, was obtained from Tacs Trevigen (Gaithersburg, USA). For the cell viability assay, the two cell groups were seeded in three 96-well tissue culture plates each, at 103 cells/ml per well. The MTT reagent was added and the plate was incubated in the dark for 2–4 h. Detergent reagent (catalog number # 4890-25-02, TACS) was added to each well to solubilize formazan dye prior to absorbance measurement. The absorbance in each well was measured at a range from 490 to 630 nm using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay plate reader (Stat Fax 2200, Awareness Technologies, Florida, USA)15.

MV isolation

MVs were obtained from supernatants of third-passage MSCs (5×106 cells/ml) cultured in RPMI-1640 deprived of FBS and supplemented with 0.5% of bovine serum albumin (BSA) (Sigma Aldrich, USA). After centrifugation at 2000g for 20 min to remove debris, cell-free supernatants were centrifuged at 100,000g for 1 h at 4°C, washed in serum-free medium 199 containing 25 mM HEPES (Sigma) and submitted to a second ultracentrifugation under the same conditions16. MVs were then prepared for electron microscopy characterization. Briefly MVs were diluted in 145 µL PBS containing 0.2% paraformaldehyde (w/v). 10 µl was administered to a formvar-carbon-coated 300 mesh grid (Electron Microscopy Sciences, Hatfield, USA) for 7 min, followed by staining with 1.75% uranyl acetate (w/v). Samples were left to dry at room temperature for 2 h and imaged by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) (CM-10, Philips, Eindhoven, The Netherlands) at 100 kV afterwards17.

Gene expression profile

Total RNA was isolated from MVs using an RNA purification kit (Gene JET, Kit, #K0731, Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc.). RNA quantification using RT-qPCR was achieved using a one-step reaction (SensiFAST™ SYBR® Hi-ROX One-Step Kit, catalog no. PI-50217 V; Bioline, UK). Sequence-specific primers (Bio Basic, USA) for the studied target genes (CDK2 and MATK) and reference housekeeping gene (β-actin) were used. The prepared reaction mix samples were applied in real time PCR (StepOne Applied Biosystem, Foster city, USA). The cDNA was subsequently amplified using a SYBRGreen I PCR Master kit (Fermentas) in a 48-well plate as follows: 10 min at 95°C for enzyme activation, followed by 40 cycles of 15 s at 95°C, 20 s at 60°C and 30 s at 72°C for the amplification step. Changes in the expression of each target were normalized relative to the mean Cq values of β-actin as housekeeping gene by the 2−∆∆Cq method. We used 1 µM of both primers specific for each target gene. Primers sequences were as follows: CDK2 sense, 5'-AATCCGCCTGGACACTGAGA-3' and antisense, 5'-CCAGCAGCTTGACAATATTAGGA-3' (Genbank accession number XM011537732.1); MATK sense, 5'-CCGCGACGTCATCCACTAC-3' and antisense, 5'-TTGTAATGCTCCACCATGTCCAT-3' (Genbank accession number AH006874.3); and GAPDH sense, 5'-GGCGGCACCACCATGTACCCT-3' and antisense, 5'-AGGGGCCGGACTCGTCATACT-3' (Genbank accession number AAG01996.1).

Statistical analysis

Data were coded and entered using SPSS version 23. Data are presented as the median and interquartile range for quantitative data Comparisons between quantitative variables were done using the non-parametric Mann-Whitney test. Correlations between quantitative variables were done using Spearman’s correlation coefficient. P-values less than 0.05 were considered as statistically significant.

Results

SHED characterization

The SHEDs in culture were identified morphologically by their fusiform fibroblast like form for both groups. SHEDs in the test group exhibited an increase in proliferation during culture and passaging, when compared with the control group (Figure 1). Flow cytometric analysis SHEDs were identified as they were negative for CD34 and CD45 and positive for CD90 and CD73 (Figure 2A).

57c17b37-f71e-43b3-b349-5452c92e2b33_figure1.gif

Figure 1. Isolation, morphological observation of stem cells from human exfoliated deciduous teeth through phase contrast microscopy.

(A) Passage one shows stem cells with spindle-like morphology as grow from human exfoliated deciduous teeth pulp in few number. (B and C) Passages two (B) and three (C) show an increase in number of stem cells with spindle-like morphology. Isolation, morphological observation of stem cells from human exfoliated deciduous teeth in the test group through phase contrast microscopy. (D) Passage one shows a marked increase in number and confluency of stem cells with spindle-like morphology in comparison with control group in passage one. (E and F) Passages two (E) and three (F) show a pronounced, confluent and expanded SHED with fibroblast like morphology in relation to control groups of second and third passages.

57c17b37-f71e-43b3-b349-5452c92e2b33_figure2.gif

Figure 2. Flow cytometry and transmission electron microscopy.

(A) Flow cytometry analysis of CD90, CD73, CD34 and CD45 for stem cell characterization. (B) Electron microscopy ultrastructure of released microvesicles (black arrow) from the mesenchymal stem cells of dental pulp.

Cell viability

The proliferated SHEDs were assessed using MTT assay. The viability of the cells in the test group was significantly higher (P<0.001) in comparison with that of the control group (Table 1).

Table 1. Cell proliferation assay for both studied groups.

Data presented as median (IQR).

VariableSHEDsSHEDs supplemented with FGF-6P-value
Absorbance (450 nm)0.90 (0.77-1.36)2.55 (1.63-2.98)<0.001

SHEDs, stem cells from human exfoliated deciduous teeth; FGF-6, fibroblast growth factor-6.

TEM

TEM detected MVs purified from SHED after ultracentrifugation (Figure 2B). MVs were characterized by their size (500 nm), as detected by TEM.

RT-qPCR

Purified MVs demonstrated a significant positive expression intensity of CDK2 (P=0.002) and MATK (P=0.005) in the test group in relation with the control group. A box plot (Figure 3) shows that expression of CDK2 and MATK is higher in the test group than the control group, as they display a higher interquartile range (IQR) and medium. The correlation coefficients of CDK2 and MATK expression to cell viability were positive for both genes in the test group (Figure 4).

57c17b37-f71e-43b3-b349-5452c92e2b33_figure3.gif

Figure 3. Box-and-whiskers plot showing number distribution for CDK2 and MATK expression in both test and control groups.

(A and B) Expression of each gene is higher in the FGF-6-supplemented group than in the control group, since higher interquartile range (IQR) and median values are observed.

57c17b37-f71e-43b3-b349-5452c92e2b33_figure4.gif

Figure 4. Assessment of cell proliferation.

(A) Expression of CDK2 is positively correlated with cell proliferation in the test group. (B) Expression of MATK is positively correlated with cell proliferation in the test group.

Dataset 1.Raw data for the MTT cell viability assay and for reverse transcription-quantitative PCR.

Discussion

The present study was developed to deal with difficulties sourcing stem cells and a lack of sufficient stem cells for reliable tissue formation. The study focused on stem cells isolated from human deciduous teeth (SHEDs) and tissue-inducing substances, which in this case is FGF-6. The reason we chose SHEDs for the isolated stem cells is that they present an opportune source of adult stem cells; the deciduous teeth are naturally exfoliating so there are no ethical problems surrounding their use, and the isolation of cells is simple, painless, convenient and time-efficient19.

There are several criteria for SHED identification; they were identified as stem cells by their morphology under the inverted microscope, as they appeared as fibroblast-like cells. Another feature exhibited was that they have a plastic adherence feature under our normal culture conditions1. SHEDs were also identified as ectomesenchymal stem cells through the quantification of several expressed mesenchymal stem cell markers using flow cytometry; they were shown to be positive for CD90 and CD73, and negative for CD45 and CD3420.

In this case, the stem cells are quiescent21, unlike progenitor cells, meaning growth factor treatment is required to produce a large amount of cells. In our experiment, FGF-6 was chosen as it has, to our knowledge, never used on SHEDs before, and would avoid the conflicting reports of the effects of bFGF on SHEDs22,23.

MVs were isolated from the proliferated SHEDs for three reasons. The first reason was to assess the two groups of proliferated SHEDs (i.e. the control group and the group supplemented with FGF-6) via the expression of CDK2 and MATK. The second reason was to explore the MVs RNA since the physiological functions of MVs in many tissues remain mostly unknown; on the other hand, their potential roles in pathological settings have been studied largely in the fields of oncology and immunology. The third reason was that the MVs have great potential for use in research24. It was demonstrated that the cell-derived MVs are found to be able to change phenotypes of different cells to become stem cells via epigenetic reprograming or infectious particle transfer24.

In this study, the CDK2 gene was used to obverse SHEDs proliferation since it has been used to monitor proliferation in many types of stem cells, such as neural progenitor stem cells25 and liver stem cells9. CDK2 also encodes a serine/threonine protein kinase family member, with receptors in this family having a role in the regulation of cell proliferation, programmed cell death, cell differentiation, and embryonic development26.

Megakaryocyte-associated tyrosine kinase is the enzyme which is encoded by MATK in humans. This enzyme possesses a similar amino acid sequence to tyrosine-protein kinase CSK. It was chosen for our experiment as it is not frequently used for the assessment of SHED proliferation, to evaluate whether this ambiguous gene can be studied in further research to assess the proliferation rate of SHEDs and other types of stem cells it is known to be capable of phosphorylating and inactivating Src family kinases, and may inhibit T-cell proliferation12.

Conclusion

From the present study, it can be concluded that SHED proliferation was significantly higher in culture medium with FGF-6 present than in culture medium with no FGF-6; there was a corresponding increase in positive expression of CDK2 and MATK mRNA from extracted MVs. The intensity of CDK2 and MATK gene expression in SHEDs supplemented with FGF-6 was significantly higher than SHEDs not supplemented with FGF-6.

Data availability

Dataset 1. Raw data for the MTT cell viability assay and for reverse transcription-quantitative PCR. DOI: 10.5256/f1000research.14900.d20379618.

Comments on this article Comments (0)

Version 6
VERSION 6 PUBLISHED 22 May 2018
Comment
Author details Author details
Competing interests
Grant information
Article Versions (6)
Copyright
Download
 
Export To
metrics
Views Downloads
F1000Research - -
PubMed Central
Data from PMC are received and updated monthly.
- -
Citations
CITE
how to cite this article
Othman A, Mubarak R and Sabry D. Fibroblast growth factor-6 enhances CDK2 and MAKT expression in microvesicles derived from human stem cells extracted from exfoliated deciduous teeth [version 2; peer review: 1 approved with reservations]. F1000Research 2018, 7:622 (https://doi.org/10.12688/f1000research.14900.2)
NOTE: If applicable, it is important to ensure the information in square brackets after the title is included in all citations of this article.
track
receive updates on this article
Track an article to receive email alerts on any updates to this article.

Open Peer Review

Current Reviewer Status: ?
Key to Reviewer Statuses VIEW
ApprovedThe paper is scientifically sound in its current form and only minor, if any, improvements are suggested
Approved with reservations A number of small changes, sometimes more significant revisions are required to address specific details and improve the papers academic merit.
Not approvedFundamental flaws in the paper seriously undermine the findings and conclusions
Version 2
VERSION 2
PUBLISHED 07 Jun 2018
Revised
Views
22
Cite
Reviewer Report 16 Jul 2018
Asma Abdullah Nurul, School of Health Sciences, University of Science Malaysia, Kubang Kerian, Malaysia 
Approved with Reservations
VIEWS 22
The authors have presented a  work on the effects of fibroblast growth factor-6 on the expression of CDK2 and MATK in microvesicles derived from stem cells from exfoliated deciduous teeth (SHED). In the study, the authors have shown that treatment ... Continue reading
CITE
CITE
HOW TO CITE THIS REPORT
Nurul AA. Reviewer Report For: Fibroblast growth factor-6 enhances CDK2 and MAKT expression in microvesicles derived from human stem cells extracted from exfoliated deciduous teeth [version 2; peer review: 1 approved with reservations]. F1000Research 2018, 7:622 (https://doi.org/10.5256/f1000research.16430.r35756)
NOTE: it is important to ensure the information in square brackets after the title is included in all citations of this article.

Comments on this article Comments (0)

Version 6
VERSION 6 PUBLISHED 22 May 2018
Comment
Alongside their report, reviewers assign a status to the article:
Approved - the paper is scientifically sound in its current form and only minor, if any, improvements are suggested
Approved with reservations - A number of small changes, sometimes more significant revisions are required to address specific details and improve the papers academic merit.
Not approved - fundamental flaws in the paper seriously undermine the findings and conclusions
Sign In
If you've forgotten your password, please enter your email address below and we'll send you instructions on how to reset your password.

The email address should be the one you originally registered with F1000.

Email address not valid, please try again

You registered with F1000 via Google, so we cannot reset your password.

To sign in, please click here.

If you still need help with your Google account password, please click here.

You registered with F1000 via Facebook, so we cannot reset your password.

To sign in, please click here.

If you still need help with your Facebook account password, please click here.

Code not correct, please try again
Email us for further assistance.
Server error, please try again.