RESUMO
Objective @#To investigate the effect of silencing histone deacetylase 9 (HDAC9) expression on the proliferation and osteogenic differentiation of periodontal ligament stem cells (PDLSCs).@*Methods@# PDLSCs were isolated, cultured and identified in vitro. An siRNA construct specific for HDAC9 was transfected into PDLSCs (siHDAC9 group), and a nontargeting siRNA was used as a control (siNC group). The interference effect was determined by qRT-PCR. The cell cycle progression of PDLSCs was detected using flow cytometry. The proliferation activity of PDLSCs was detected via CCK-8 assay. Western blotting was used to detect the protein expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA). The mRNA expression of runt-related transcription factor 2 (RUNX2) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) was investigated by qRT-PCR. The protein expression of RUNX2 was detected by western blotting. In addition, the formation of mineralized nodules was assessed by alizarin red staining. @*Results@#Compared with that in the siNC group, the mRNA expression of HDAC9 in the siHDAC9 group was lower (P < 0.01). Moreover, compared with those in the siNC group, the proliferation index (P<0.01), proliferation activity (P<0.05) and protein expression of PCNA (P<0.01) in the siHDAC9 group were all increased. Compared with the siNC group, the siHDAC9 group exhibited higher mRNA expression of RUNX2 and ALP (P < 0.05), and the protein expression of RUNX2 showed the same results (P < 0.01). The results of alizarin red staining showed that compared to the siNC group, the siHDAC9 group formed more mineralized nodules.@* Conclusion@#Silencing HDAC9 expression can promote the proliferation and osteogenic differentiation of PDLSCs.