2,3,5,4'-tetrahydroxystilbene-2-O-b-D-glucoside triggers the pluripotent-like possibility of dental pulp stem cells by activating the JAK2/STAT3 axis: Preliminary observations.

Abstract.
Background/purpose: Although 2,3,5,4'-Tetrahydroxystilbene-2-O-beta-glucoside (THSG) reportedly has anti-inflammatory properties, its role in inducing the dedifferentiation of human dental pulp stem cells (DPSC) into pluripotent-like stem cells remains to be determined. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effects of THSG on the pluripotent-like possibility and mechanism of DPSC.
Materials and Methods: DPSCs were treated with THSG, and cell viability was determined using the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl-tetrazolium bromide (MTS) assay. Real-time polymerase chain reaction was used to analyze the mRNA expression levels of pluripotency-associated genes and oncogenes and to detect telomerase activity in the cells. Embryoid body formation assay was conducted, and pluripotency-related proteins were identified using Western blotting. Data were analyzed using one-way analysis of variance.
Results: Cell viability, telomerase activity, and embryoid body formation were enhanced in THSG-treated DPSCs. The mRNA expression levels of pluripotent-like genes (including Nanog homeobox [ NANOG ], SRY-box 2 [ SOX2 ], and POU class 5 homeobox 1 [ POU5F1/OCT4 ]) significantly increased after THSG treatment. The expression levels of pluripotency-related genes (Janus kinase-signal transducer 2 [ JAK2 ] and signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 [ STAT3 ]) increased, whereas those of oncogenes ( Ras , SRC , HER2 , and C-sis ) decreased. Furthermore, the expression levels of the phosphorylated JAK2 and STAT3 proteins significantly increased after THSG treatment.
Conclusion: THSG treatment may enhance the pluripotent-like possibility of DPSC through the JAK2/STAT3 axis. Hence, it may be used as an alternative cell-based therapeutic strategy in regenerative dentistry.
(© 2020 Association for Dental Sciences of the Republic of China. Publishing services by Elsevier B.V.)