Nuclear Factor I-C Regulates Stemness Genes and Proliferation of Stem Cells in Various Mineralized Tissue through Epithelial-Mesenchymal Interactions in Dental Epithelial Stem Cells

Figure 4

FGF8 is the upstream signaling molecule for Nfic-Sox2 in dental epithelial cells, and Nfic induces FGF10 in the dental mesenchymal stem cells to modulate the proliferation of DESC through epithelial-mesenchymal interactions. (a) Sox2 protein and (b) mRNA expression levels were analyzed when treated with FGF8 and Shh in the control and Nfic-silenced dental epithelial cells. (c) Schematic representation of Sox2 promoters and (d) the deletion of the Nfic binding motif. The effect of FGF8 on the Sox2 promoter activity in the absence of the Nfic binding motif is shown. , . (e) Fgf10 mRNA and (f) protein expression levels were examined when Nfic was overexpressed or silenced. (g) FGF10 expression levels were analyzed in the primary cultured dental pulp cells from Nfic KO mice. , . (h) Schematic diagram of hypothesized intercellular interactions involved in stem cell homeostasis in dental epithelial cells. Data are presented as the . Abbreviations: FGF: fibroblast growth factor; LUC: luciferase; Over: overexpression; Shh: sonic hedgehog; WT: wild type.

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