ABSTRACT
Objective: To investigate the effects of the Akt/PKB signaling pathway on hypoxia-induced apoptosis. Methods: The cell proliferation, apoptosis, Akt/PKB signaling pathway and HIF-1α expression in periodontal ligament fibroblasts(hPDLFs) under normoxic and hypoxic conditions were evaluated by MTT assay, flowoytometry, qRT-PCR, Western blot and Lipofectamin 2000 transfection respectively. Results: The cell proliferation and the Akt/PKB pathway in hPDLFs were inhibited by hypoxia. Hypoxia promoted apoptosis and increased the levels of HIF-1α of hPDLFs. Akt/PKB signaling pathway inhibition inhibited cell proliferation and promoted hypoxia-induced apoptosis of hPDLFs. Conclusion: The inhibition of Akt/PKB signaling pathway may promote hypoxia-induced apoptosis of hPDLFs under hyoxia condtition.