Abstract:

Objective  This study aims to investigate the regulatory effects of calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) on Nod-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3) and interleukin-1β (IL-1β) to promote osteoblast differentiation. Methods  Different concentrations of CGRP (0, 10, 30, 100 ng•mL-1) were added to mouse osteoblasts in vitro. The mRNA and protein expression levels of both NLRP3 and IL-1β were examined using Real-time polymerase chain reaction and Western blot, respectively. Moreover, the concentrations of IL-1β protein and intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) were detected using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and flow cytometry, respectively. The osteogenic differentiation of mouse osteoblasts was identified through alizarin red staining. Results  The protein and mRNA expression levels of both NLRP3 and IL-1βsignificantly decreased (P<0.05) with increasing CGRP concentration. Moreover, the contents of intracellular ROS gradually decreased (P<0.05). The osteogenic differentiation of the osteoblasts was more enhanced in the group treated with 100 ng•mL-1 CGRP than in the empty group (0 ng•mL-1CGRP). Conclusion  CGRP promotes osteoblast differentiation by inhibiting the expression of inflammatory factors.

Key words: calcitonin gene-related peptide, Nod-like receptor protein 3,  interleukin-1β, reactive oxygen species, osteoblast