Adiponectin as Well as Compressive Forces Regulate in vitro β-Catenin Expression on Cementoblasts via Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase Signaling Activation

We aimed to investigate the molecular effect that adiponectin exerts on cementoblasts especially in the presence of compressive forces. OCCM-30 cells (M. Somerman, NIH, NIDCR, United States) were used. Real-time reverse transcriptase–polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and western blots were employed to verify if the mRNA and protein levels of adiponectin receptors (AdipoRs), mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), and β-catenin signaling were influenced by compressive forces or adiponectin. Moreover, siRNAs targeting P38α, JNK1, ERK1, ERK2, and AdipoRs as well as pharmacological MAPK inhibition were performed. We found that compressive forces increase the expression of AdipoRs. Adiponectin and compression up-regulate P38α,JNK1, ERK1, and ERK2 as well as β-catenin gene expression. Western blots showed that co-stimuli activate the MAPK and β-catenin signaling pathways. MAPK inhibition alters the compression-induced β-catenin activation and the siRNAs targeting AdipoRs, P38α, and JNK1, showing the interaction of single MAPK molecules and β-catenin signaling in response to compression or adiponectin. Silencing by a dominantly negative version of P38α and JNK1 attenuates adiponectin-induced TCF/LEF reporter activation. Together, we found that light compressive forces activate β-catenin and MAPK signaling pathways. Adiponectin regulates β-catenin signaling principally by inactivating the GSK-3β kinase activity. β-Catenin expression was partially inhibited by MAPK blockade, indicating that MAPK plays a crucial role regulating β-catenin during cementogenesis. Moreover, adiponectin modulates GSK-3β and β-catenin mostly through AdipoR1. P38α is a key connector between β-catenin, TCF/LEF transcription, and MAPK signaling pathway.