Retinoic acid promotes migration of MC3T3‐E1 osteoblast‐like cells via RARα signaling‐mediated upregulation of profilin‐1 expression
2019 Volume 53 Issue 2 Pages 149-156
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2019 Volume 53 Issue 2 Pages 149-156
Vitamin A is required for normal human health and metabolism. Retinoic acid (RA), a vitamin A metabolite, is critical for cell differentiation and migration. The effects of RA on remodeling of bone have been thoroughly investigated. However, its role is still under debate, especially as it relates to osteoblasts, and the relationship between RA and cell migration is relatively unknown. Using scratch assays, we previously showed that addition of RA promoted the migration of MC3T3‐E1 osteoblast‐like cells (OBs). In the present study, the contribution of RA receptor (RAR) subtypes to RA‐mediated cell migration was investigated using pharmacological experiments. Agonists for subtype RARγ, which plays a major role in osteoblast differentiation, did not affect cell migration, while agonists for RARα promoted cell migration. To confirm the contribution of RARα, knockdown of RARα was performed and the resultant OBs exhibited reduced migration. Addition of RA upregulated mRNA expression of profilin‐1 (PFN1), and overexpression of PFN1 protein promoted OB migration. These results suggest that RA promotes OB migration via RARα. Furthermore, the improvement in cell migration was mediated by RA‐induced upregulation of PFN1 expression. Our findings provide new pharmacological insights into the relationship between RA and osteoblasts. (J Osaka Dent Univ 2019; 53: 149‐156)
