Effect of baicalin on the expression of receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB ligand and osteoprotegerin in human periodontal ligament cells

Objective To study the effect of baicalin on the expression of receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB ligand (RANKL) and osteoprotegerin (OPG) in cultured human periodontal ligament cells (HPDL cells) as well as its action mechanism. Methods We first constructed small interferring RNA (siRNA) eukaryotic expression vector targeted transforming growth factor βⅡ receptor (TGF-βRⅡ),and then transfected it into T cells. Then HPDL cells together with T cells transfected with siRNA or not were placed in medium that had been added with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and baicalin. They were divided into six groups and cultured for 48 hours. Reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was used to observe the effect of baicalin on OPG-RANKL expression in HPDL cells. Results The clone sequence correctly identified by RT-PCR was consistent with the designed target sequence. The recombinant vector was constructed successfully and the expression of TGF-βⅡR of T cells which had been transfected with siRNA1 was inhibited obviously. Ratio of RANKL/OPG in each group differed significantly (P0.01). Conclusion ① siRNA eukaryotic expression vector of recombinant targeting gene TGF-βⅡR has been constructed and it has been transfected T cells successfully; ② Baicalin can reduce the ratio of RANKL/OPG on PDL cells; ③ TGF-β signaling transduction plays an important role in the effect of baicalin on RANKL/OPG ratio on PDL cells; ④ Baicalin acts not only through TGF β to regulate RANKL/OPG in PDL cells,but also through other pathways.