Novel LRAP-binding partner revealing the plasminogen activation system as a regulator of cementoblast differentiation and mineral nodule formation in vitro.

Amelogenin isoforms, including full-length amelogenin (AMEL) and leucine-rich amelogenin peptide (LRAP), are major components of the enamel matrix, and are considered as signaling molecules in epithelial-mesenchymal interactions regulating tooth development and periodontal regeneration. Nevertheless, the molecular mechanisms involved are still poorly understood. The aim of the present study was to identify novel binding partners for amelogenin isoforms in the cementoblast (OCCM-30), using an affinity purification assay (GST pull-down) followed by mass spectrometry and immunoblotting. Protein-protein interaction analysis for AMEL and LRAP evidenced the plasminogen activation system (PAS) as a potential player regulating OCCM-30 response to amelogenin isoforms. For functional assays, PAS was either activated (plasmin) or inhibited (ε-aminocaproic acid [aminocaproic]) in OCCM-30 cells and the cell morphology, mineral nodule formation, and gene expression were assessed. PAS inhibition (EACA 100 mM) dramatically decreased mineral nodule formation and expression of OCCM-30 differentiation markers, including osteocalcin (Bglap), bone sialoprotein (Ibsp), osteopontin (Spp1), tissue-nonspecific alkaline phosphatase (Alpl) and collagen type I (Col1a1), and had no effect on runt-related transcription factor 2 (Runx2) and Osterix (Osx) mRNA levels. PAS activation (plasmin 5 µg/µl) significantly increased Col1a1 and decreased Bglap mRNA levels (p < .05). Together, our findings shed new light on the potential role of plasminogen signaling pathway in the control of the amelogenin isoform-mediated response in cementoblasts and provide new insights into the development of targeted therapies.

In vitro evaluation of Eugenia dysenterica in primary culture of human gingival fibroblast cells.

Eugenia dysenterica is a Brazilian tree investigated for its properties and bioactive compounds, which are believed to have both pharmacological and phytochemical therapeutic effects. The leaves of this tree contain tannins, flavonoids, terpenes, and saponins, with reportedly beneficial effects to the human body. Despite these therapeutic applications, its effects have never been tested on oral tissues. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to evaluate the cytotoxic and antioxidant effects and the anti-inflammatory and repair properties of the acetone fraction of E. dysenterica on primary culture of human gingival fibroblasts and on the immortalized murine macrophage cell line (RAW 264.7). For this purpose, a metabolic activity assay, a wound healing assay, a nitric oxide assay, and RT-qPCR were performed. The assays revealed a cytoprotective effect of this plant, suggested by the increase in the expression of SOD1 and NRF2. An antioxidant potential effect was observed in the DPPH• assay. However, the fraction of E. dysenterica did not show anti-inflammatory activity. In conclusion, Eugenia dysenterica may promote cytoprotection when associated with chlorhexidine digluconate because of its antioxidant effect. However, additional studies are necessary on other human dental tissues using other parts of the plant in order to develop a possible mouthwash to assist patients with oral disorders.

Protocols for Genetic and Epigenetic Studies of Rare Diseases Affecting Dental Tissues.

This chapter describes methods related to the diagnosis of genetic dental diseases. Based on the present knowledge, clinical phenotyping and next-generation sequencing techniques are discussed. Methods necessary for Sanger sequencing, multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification, and epigenetic modification methods are detailed. In addition, protocols for cell culture establishment and characterization from patients with inherited dental anomalies are described.

Mesenchymal stem cells in periodontics: new perspectives / Células mesenquimais indiferenciadas em periodontia: novas perspectivas

ABSTRACT Tissue engineering is a contemporary field of science, which aims to create conditions based on principles of cell and molecular biology, bioengineering and biomaterials to regenerate tissues. Mesenchymal stem cells present high proliferation rates and are able to differentiate into multilineages under certain conditions, suggesting that they have great potential to act in regeneration field. Tooth derived stem cells are a suitable alternative source of mesenchymal cells once they are easily accessible and have poor morbidity to the donor. Studies showed that they have been isolated and characterized from diverse tissues such as dental pulp, exfoliated deciduous teeth, periodontal ligament, gingiva, dental follicle and apical papilla. However studies show that there is heterogeneity among these populations and there is no standard method to select the most appropriate tooth derived stem cells for regenerative procedures. The aim of this review is to present the current perspective of the multiple types of tooth-derived stem cells and to discuss the basis for their use in periodontal tissue engineering.

RESUMO A engenharia de tecidos é um campo contemporâneo da ciência, que visa criar condições baseadas em princípios de biologia celular e molecular, bioengenharia e biomateriais para regenerar tecidos. As células tronco mesenquimais apresentam altas taxas de proliferação e são capazes de se diferenciar, sob certas condições, em multi-linhagens, sugerindo que elas têm grande potencial para atuar no campo da regeneração. As células tronco derivadas de tecidos dentais são uma fonte alternativa adequada de células mesenquimais uma vez que são de fácil acesso e têm baixa morbidade para o doador. Estudos demonstraram que elas já foram isoladas e caracterizadas a partir de diversos tecidos tais como polpa dentária, dentes decíduos esfoliados, ligamento periodontal, gengiva, folículo dental e papila apical. Entretanto, os estudos demonstram que há heterogeneidade entre essas populações e não existe um método padrão para selecionar as células-tronco dentais mais apropriadas para procedimentos regenerativos. O objetivo desta revisão é apresentar o conhecimento atual dos vários tipos de células-tronco derivadas de dentes e discutir as novas perspectivas para seu uso na engenharia de tecidos periodontais.

Osteogenic potential of periodontal ligament stem cells are unaffected after exposure to lipopolysaccharides.

Periodontitis develops as a result of a continuous interaction between host cells and subgingival pathogenic bacteria. The periodontium has a limited capacity for regeneration, probably due to changes in periodontal ligament stem cells (PDLSCs) phenotype. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of lipopolysaccharides from Porphyromonas gingivalis (PgLPS) on mesenchymal phenotype and osteoblast/cementoblast (O/C) potential of PDLSCs. PDLSCs were assessed for Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2) expression by immunostaining technique. After, cells were exposed to PgLPS, and the following assays were carried out: (i) cell metabolic activity using MTS; (ii) gene expression for IL-1ß, TNF-α and OCT-4 by real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR); (iii) flow cytometry for STRO-1 and CD105, and (iv) osteogenic differentiation. PDLSCs were positive for TLR2. PgLPS promoted cell proliferation, produced IL-1ß and TNF-α, and did not affect the expression of stem cell markers, STRO-1, CD105 and OCT-4. Under osteogenic condition, PDLSCs exposed to PgLPS showed a similar potential to differentiate toward osteoblast/cementoblast phenotype compared to control group as revealed by mineralized matrix deposition and levels of transcripts for RUNX2, ALP and OCN. These results provide evidence that PgLPS induces pro-inflammatory cytokines, but does not change the mesenchymal phenotype and osteoblast/cementoblast differentiation potential of PDLSCs.

Osteogenic potential of periodontal ligament stem cells are unaffected after exposure to lipopolysaccharides

Abstract Periodontitis develops as a result of a continuous interaction between host cells and subgingival pathogenic bacteria. The periodontium has a limited capacity for regeneration, probably due to changes in periodontal ligament stem cells (PDLSCs) phenotype. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of lipopolysaccharides from Porphyromonas gingivalis (PgLPS) on mesenchymal phenotype and osteoblast/cementoblast (O/C) potential of PDLSCs. PDLSCs were assessed for Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2) expression by immunostaining technique. After, cells were exposed to PgLPS, and the following assays were carried out: (i) cell metabolic activity using MTS; (ii) gene expression for IL-1β, TNF-α and OCT-4 by real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR); (iii) flow cytometry for STRO-1 and CD105, and (iv) osteogenic differentiation. PDLSCs were positive for TLR2. PgLPS promoted cell proliferation, produced IL-1β and TNF-α, and did not affect the expression of stem cell markers, STRO-1, CD105 and OCT-4. Under osteogenic condition, PDLSCs exposed to PgLPS showed a similar potential to differentiate toward osteoblast/cementoblast phenotype compared to control group as revealed by mineralized matrix deposition and levels of transcripts for RUNX2, ALP and OCN. These results provide evidence that PgLPS induces pro-inflammatory cytokines, but does not change the mesenchymal phenotype and osteoblast/cementoblast differentiation potential of PDLSCs.

Effects of Plants on Osteogenic Differentiation and Mineralization of Periodontal Ligament Cells: A Systematic Review.

This systematic review aimed to evaluate the effects of plants on osteogenic differentiation and mineralization of human periodontal ligament cells. The included studies were selected using five different electronic databases. The reference list of the included studies was crosschecked, and a partial gray literature search was undertaken using Google Scholar and ProQuest. The methodology of the selected studies was evaluated using GRADE. After a two-step selection process, eight studies were identified. Six different types of plants were reported in the selected studies, which were Morinda citrifolia, Aloe vera, Fructus cnidii, Zanthoxylum schinifolium, Centella asiatica, and Epimedium species. They included five types of isolated plant components: acemannan, osthole, hesperetin, asiaticoside, and icariin. In addition, some active substances of these components were identified as polysaccharides, coumarins, flavonoids, and triterpenes. The studies demonstrated the potential effects of plants on osteogenic differentiation, cell proliferation, mineral deposition, and gene and protein expression. Four studies showed that periodontal ligament cells induce mineral deposition after plant treatment. Although there are few studies on the subject, current evidence suggests that plants are potentially useful for the treatment of periodontal diseases. However, further investigations are required to confirm the promising effect of these plants in regenerative treatments.

Exposure of periodontal ligament progenitor cells to lipopolysaccharide from Escherichia coli changes osteoblast differentiation pattern.

UNLABELLED: Periodontal ligament mesenchymal stem cells (PDLMSCs) are an important alternative source of adult stem cells and may be applied for periodontal tissue regeneration, neuroregenerative medicine, and heart valve tissue engineering. However, little is known about the impact of bacterial toxins on the biological properties of PDLSMSCs, including self-renewal, differentiation, and synthesis of extracellular matrix. OBJECTIVE: This study investigated whether proliferation, expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines, and osteogenic differentiation of CD105-enriched PDL progenitor cell populations (PDL-CD105(+) cells) would be affected by exposure to bacterial lipopolysaccharide from Escherichia coli (EcLPS). MATERIAL AND METHODS: Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) expression was assessed in PDL-CD105(+) cells by the immunostaining technique and confirmed using Western blotting assay. Afterwards, these cells were exposed to EcLPS, and the following assays were carried out: (i) cell viability using MTS; (ii) expression of the interleukin-1 beta (IL-1ß), interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-8 (IL-8), and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) genes; (iii) osteoblast differentiation assessed by mineralization in vitro, and by mRNA levels of run-related transcription factor-2 (RUNX2), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and osteocalcin (OCN) determined by quantitative PCR. RESULTS: PDL-CD105+ cells were identified as positive for TLR4. EcLPS did not affect cell viability, but induced a significant increase of transcripts for IL-6 and IL-8. Under osteogenic condition, PDL-CD105+ cells exposed to EcLPS presented an increase of mineralized matrix deposition and higher RUNX2 and ALP mRNA levels when compared to the control group. CONCLUSIONS: These results provide evidence that CD105-enriched PDL progenitor cells are able to adapt to continuous Escherichia coli endotoxin challenge, leading to an upregulation of osteogenic activities.

Exposure of periodontal ligament progenitor cells to lipopolysaccharide from Escherichia coli changes osteoblast differentiation pattern

Periodontal ligament mesenchymal stem cells (PDLMSCs) are an important alternative source of adult stem cells and may be applied for periodontal tissue regeneration, neuroregenerative medicine, and heart valve tissue engineering. However, little is known about the impact of bacterial toxins on the biological properties of PDLSMSCs, including self-renewal, differentiation, and synthesis of extracellular matrix. Objective : This study investigated whether proliferation, expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines, and osteogenic differentiation of CD105-enriched PDL progenitor cell populations (PDL-CD105+ cells) would be affected by exposure to bacterial lipopolysaccharide from Escherichia coli (EcLPS). Material and Methods : Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) expression was assessed in PDL-CD105+ cells by the immunostaining technique and confirmed using Western blotting assay. Afterwards, these cells were exposed to EcLPS, and the following assays were carried out: (i) cell viability using MTS; (ii) expression of the interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β), interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-8 (IL-8), and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) genes; (iii) osteoblast differentiation assessed by mineralization in vitro, and by mRNA levels of run-related transcription factor-2 (RUNX2), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and osteocalcin (OCN) determined by quantitative PCR. Results : PDL-CD105+ cells were identified as positive for TLR4. EcLPS did not affect cell viability, but induced a significant increase of transcripts for IL-6 and IL-8. Under osteogenic condition, PDL-CD105+ cells exposed to EcLPS presented an increase of mineralized matrix deposition and higher RUNX2 and ALP mRNA levels when compared to the control group. Conclusions : These results provide evidence that CD105-enriched PDL progenitor cells are able to adapt to continuous Escherichia coli endotoxin challenge, leading to an upregulation of osteogenic activities. .

PKR-mediated degradation of STAT1 regulates osteoblast differentiation.

The double-stranded RNA-dependent protein kinase (PKR) plays a critical role in various biological responses including antiviral defense, cell differentiation, apoptosis, and tumorigenesis. In this study, we investigated whether PKR could affect the post-translational modifications of STAT1 protein and whether these modifications regulate osteoblast differentiation. We demonstrated that PKR was necessary for the ubiquitination of STAT1 protein. The expressions of bone-related genes such as type I collagen, integrin binding sialoprotein, osteopontin, and osterix were suppressed in osteoblasts lacking PKR activity. In contrast, the expressions of interleukin-6 and matrix metalloproteinases 8 and 13 increased in PKR-mutated osteoblasts. The expression and degradation of STAT1 protein were regulated by PKR in a SLIM-dependent pathway. Inhibition of SLIM by RNA interference resulted in the decreased activity of Runx2 in osteoblasts. Stimulation of interleukin-6 expression and suppression of alkaline phosphatase activity were regulated through by SLIM-dependent pathway. However, expressions of bone-related genes and MMPs were regulated by SLIM-independent pathway. Our present results suggest that the aberrant accumulation of STAT1 protein induced by loss of PKR regulate osteoblast differentiation through both SLIM/STAT1-dependent and -independent pathways.

Calcineurin regulates phosphorylation status of transcription factor osterix.

Osterix is an osteoblast-specific transcriptional factor that is essential for osteoblast differentiation and bone formation. Calcineurin regulates bone formation through modulating osteoblast differentiation. However, post-translational modification of osterix such as phosphorylation and interactions between osterix and calcineurin remains unclear. In the present study, we demonstrated that calcineurin interacted with osterix determined by immunoprecipitation assay and Western analysis. Immunocytochemical study also revealed that osterix and calcineurin were co-localized in nucleus. Deletion of calcineurin binding motif on osterix molecule disrupted osterix-calcineurin interaction. Phosphorylation status of osterix was augmented by treatment with phosphatase inhibitors, FK506 and calyculin A. In contrast, treatment of recombinant calcineurin reduced phosphorylation status of osterix. Our present study suggests that calcineurin has an important role in the function of osterix through its modification of phosphorylation.

Histone H1.2 is translocated to mitochondria and associates with Bak in bleomycin-induced apoptotic cells.

Bleomycin induces single- and double-stranded breaks in DNA, with consequent mitochondrial membrane aberrations that lead to the apoptotic cell death. It is poorly understood how DNA damage-inducing apoptotic signals are transmitted to mitochondria, from which apoptotic factors are released into the cytoplasm. Here, we investigated the localization of histone H1.2 in the bleomycin-treated human squamous carcinoma SCCTF cells. The presence of DNA double-strand breaks in the bleomycin-treated cells was examined by Western analysis using antibody against phosphorylated histone H2AX (gamma-H2AX). Incubation of SCCTF cells for 48 h with 10 microM bleomycin induced apoptosis, as determined by cleavage of lamin B1 to 28 kDa fragment and DNA ladder formation. The mitochondrial permeabilization causing apoptotic feature was also detected with MitoCapture in the bleomycin-treated cells. Histone H1.2 was translocated from the nucleus to the mitochondria after treatment with bleomycin and co-localized with Bak in mitochondria. Our present results suggest that histone H1.2 plays an important role in transmitting apoptotic signals from the nucleus to the mitochondria following double-stranded breaks of DNA by bleomycin.

Calyculin A stimulates the expression of TNF-alpha mRNA via phosphorylation of Akt in mouse osteoblastic MC3T3-E1 cells.

Intracellular phosphatase activity has been recognized to play a central role in signal transduction. In the present study, we investigated the effects of calyculin A, an inhibitor of protein phosphatases, on the expression of TNF-alpha mRNA and the possible signaling pathways in mouse osteoblastic MC3T3-E1 cells. The result of semiquantitative RT-PCR showed that calyculin A increased the expression of TNF-alpha mRNA in MC3T3-E1 cells. Pre-treatment of LY294002 and Wortmannin, inhibitors of PI3K, inhibited the calyculin A-stimulated TNF-alpha mRNA expression. Western blot result disclosed that calyculin A increased the phosphorylation status of Akt at Ser473. However, U0126 and SB203580, specific inhibitor of MEK1/2 and p38MAPK, respectively, had no effect on calyculin A-stimulated expression of TNF-alpha mRNA. BAY11-7085 and CAPE, inhibitors of NF-kappaB activity, did not alter the calyculin A-stimulated TNF-alpha mRNA expression. Indirect immunofluorescent study confirmed that NF-kappaB was not translocated to the nucleus by calyculin A treatment. Our present results suggest that inhibition of phosphatase activity by calyculin A stimulate the phosphorylation of Akt at Ser473 by PI3K/Akt signaling pathway, resulting in the expression TNF-alpha mRNA.

The transcriptional factor Osterix directly interacts with RNA helicase A.

Osterix is an osteoblast-specific transcriptional factor, required for bone formation and osteoblast differentiation. Here, we identified new Osterix interacting factors by using matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry. Among the candidates, RNA helicase A was identified to interact with Osterix. To determine the interaction of Osterix with RNA helicase A, immunoprecipitation assay was performed. Western analysis confirmed the association between Osterix and RNA helicase A. Immunocytochemical analysis also showed that Osterix and RNA helicase A were co-localized in HEK 293 cells. Our data suggest that RNA helicase A might be a component of Osterix regulation.

Differential expression of protein phosphatase type 1 isotypes and nucleolin during cell cycle arrest.

In the present study, we examined the expression and cytolocalization of protein phosphatase type 1 (PP1) isoforms and nucleolin in human osteoblastic cell line MG63 cells at two boundaries in the cell cycle. We treated MG63 cells with hydroxyurea and nocodazole to arrest the cells at the G(1)/S and G(2)/M boundaries, respectively. As judged from the results of Western blot analysis, PP1 isoforms were expressed differently at each boundary of the cell cycle. Nucleolin was also shown to have a different expression pattern at each boundary. In the hydroxyurea-treated cells, nucleolus-like bodies were bigger in size and decreased in number compared with those in asynchronized cells. However, the subcellular localization of PP1s and nucleolin was not changed. Anti-nucleolin antibody interacted with 110-kDa and 95-kDa proteins present in asynchronized cells and in the cells treated with hydroxyurea. Treatment of the cells with nocodazole decreased the level of the 95-kDa form of nucleolin. In the nocodazole-treated cells, it was impossible to distinguish the distribution of each protein. The phosphorylation status of nucleolin in the cell cycle arrested samples was examined by 2D-IEF-PAGE followed by Western blot analysis. In the case of asynchronized cells or hydroxyurea-treated ones, nucleolin was located at a basic isoelectric point (dephosphorylated status); whereas in the G(2)/M arrest cells, the isoelectric point of nucleolin shifted to an acidic status, indicating that nucleolin was phosphorylated. The present results indicate that PP1 and nucleolin were differently expressed at G(1)/S and G(2)/M boundaries of the cell cycle and acted in a different fashion during cell-cycle progression.

Expression of PTEN and Akt phosphorylation in lipopolysaccharide-treated NIH3T3 cells.

PTEN is a tumor suppressor gene encoding a phosphatase, and it negatively regulates cell survival mediated by the phosphoinositol 3-kinase (PI3-Kinase)-Akt pathway. To elucidate PTEN expression and its effect on the PI3-kinase-Akt pathway in fibroblasts and macrophages, we investigated the expression of PTEN and the phosphorylation status of Akt in NIH3T3 and RAW264.7 cells treated with LPS. Phosphorylation of Akt was induced by LPS treatment in a dose-dependent manner in RAW264.7 cells, but not in NIH3T3 cells. LPS induced the expression of PTEN in a dose and time-dependent manner in NIH3T3 cells (0-1 microg/ml, 0-6h). However, LPS did not stimulate PTEN expression in RAW264.7 cells. These data indicate the existence of diverse mechanisms for PTEN expression and Akt activation in fibroblasts and macrophages. RNA interference using double-stranded RNA specific for the PTEN gene reduced both mRNA and protein levels of PTEN in NIH3T3 cells treated or not with LPS. The phosphorylation status of Akt in NIH3T3 cells stimulated with LPS did not change when the PTEN expression had been inhibited by RNA interference. The present results suggest that the up-regulation of PTEN expression by LPS is not involved in the activation of Akt in NIH3T3 cells. PTEN expression might be involved in the diverse inflammatory responses to LPS in fibroblasts and macrophages.

Okadaic acid induces phosphorylation of p65NF-kappaB on serine 536 and activates NF-kappaB transcriptional activity in human osteoblastic MG63 cells.

Nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-kappaB) is an essential transcription factor in the control of expression of genes involved in cell growth, differentiation, inflammation, and neoplastic transformation. Previously, we reported that okadaic acid (OA), which is a specific inhibitor of serine/threonine protein phosphatases, induced apoptosis in cells of human osteosarcoma cell line MG63. However, to date, it is not clear whether the phosphorylation status of NF-kappaB could be affected by the treatment with OA. In this report, we demonstrate that treatment of MG63 cells with OA enhanced the phosphorylation level of NF-kappaB, as judged from the results of Western blot analysis and a lambda protein phosphatase dephosphorylation assay. The phosphorylation level of NF-kappaB was enhanced in both time- and dose-dependent manners. In the cells treated with 100 nM OA for 3 h, consequential translocation of NF-kappaB from the cytosol to the nucleus occurred. Western blotting experiments with an anti-phospho-p65NF-kappaB antibody disclosed that the NF-kappaB was phosphorylated on serine 536. Furthermore, OA stimulated the transcriptional activity of NF-kappaB in MG63 cells, as judged from the results of a luciferase assay. Our findings indicate that OA elicit phosphorylation of NF-kappaB on serine 536 in MG63 cells, resulting in the translocation of phospho-NF-kappaB to the nucleus, thereby promoting transcriptional activity of genes.

Double-stranded RNA-dependent protein kinase is required for bone calcification in MC3T3-E1 cells in vitro.

In this study, we demonstrated that double-stranded RNA-dependent protein kinase (PKR) is required for the calcification of osteoblasts via the signal transducers and activators of transcription 1alpha (STAT1alpha) signaling in vitro. A dominant-negative mutant PKR cDNA, in which the amino acid lysine at 296 was replaced with arginine and which does not have catalytic activity, was transfected into mouse osteoblastic MC3T3-E1 cells; thereby, we established cells that stably expressed the PKR mutant gene (PKR-K/R). Phosphorylation of PKR was not stimulated by polyinosic-polycytidylic acid in the mutant cells. The PKR-K/R mutant cells exhibited up-regulated cell growth and had low alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity. The PKR-K/R mutant cells were not able to form bone nodules in vitro. In the PKR-K/R mutant cells, runt-related gene 2 (Runx2)-mediated transcription decreased compared with the levels in the control cells. The expression of STAT1alpha protein increased and the protein was translocated to the nucleus in the PKR-K/R mutant cells. When the expression of STAT1alpha protein in PKR mutant cells was suppressed using RNAi, the activity of Runx2-mediated transcription recovered to the control level. Our results indicate that PKR is a stimulator of Runx2 transcription and is a negative modulator of STAT1alpha expression. Our findings also suggest that PKR plays important roles in the differentiation and calcification of osteoblasts by modulating STAT1alpha and/or Runx2 expression.