Assessment of proliferation, clonogenic assay, and osteogenic differentiation of human periodontal ligament stem cells following application of orthodontic forces

Context: The proliferation and differentiation of human periodontal ligament stem cells (hPDLSC) into other cell types are also mediated by mechanical stresses; they might offer therapeutic benefits in tissue regeneration and angiogenesis. Objectives: The study was planned to assess the proliferation, clonogenic potential, and osteogenic differentiation of human periodontal ligament stem cells (PDLSC) following the application of light and heavy orthodontic forces. Materials and Methods: A couple forces of 50 gm (light force) were applied on the 1st premolar on the one side and 250 gm (heavy force) on the contralateral side in the upper arch of patients requiring orthodontic treatment with extraction of all 1st premolars. After 30 days, periodontal tissues were scrapped from extracted teeth for the establishment of PDLSC in vitro. PDLC from the lower premolar teeth where no orthodontic force was applied acted as the control group. Morphology, viability, proliferating rate and population doubling time, clonogenicity, and alkaline phosphatase activity were analysed. Result: The osteogenic potential was confirmed by Alizarin red staining and the expression of the osteogenic markers by qRT-PCR. The morphology, growth kinetics, potency, and osteogenic lineage characteristics inferred the application of high force reduced the proliferative ability and osteogenesis of PDLSC, though the difference was not significant. Conclusion: The established PDLSCs demonstrated their MSC-like properties based on morphology, growth kinetics, colony forming ability, and AP activity. The culture-expanded PDLSCs showed their differentiation potential into osteocytes. The application of high force reduced the proliferative ability and osteogenesis of PDLSCs, variations were not significant.