TLR3 ligation affects differentiation and stemness properties of gingival mesenchymal stem/progenitor cells

AIM Toll-like receptors are key players in mesenchymal stem/progenitor cells' micro-environmental crosstalk, endorsing various biological reactions. For the first time, this study investigates the effects of TLR3-ligation on gingival mesenchymal stem/progenitor cells (G-MSCs) stemness and differentiation properties. MATERIAL AND METHODS G-MSCs (n = 5) were isolated, sorted using anti-STRO-1 antibodies,and sowed on culture dishes to generate colony-forming units (CFUs), and their stem/progenitor cells' features and TLR3 expression were characterized. Subsequently, TLR3 activation of G-MSCs via Poly (I:C) was done, followed by an analysis of the expression of pluripotency-related factors, mesenchymal stemness-associated surface markers, and the ability to form CFUs and multilineage differentiation, using qualitative and quantitative histochemistry and RT-PCR. RESULTS G-MSCs demonstrated all predefined stem/progenitor cells' characteristics and TLR3 expression. TLR3-activated G-MSCs showed a significantly reduced ability to form CFUs and pluripotency transcriptional factors expression. Mesenchymal stem/progenitor cell-associated surface markers and multilinear differentiation potential were significantly higher following TLR3 ligation (p