Introduction: Transforming growth factor β1 (TGFβ1) regulates cellular function including cell growth, differentiation, angiogenesis, migration and metastasis. However, signal transduction pathways of TGF-β1 are mostly undefined in mouse dental papilla derived MDPC-23 cells. In this study, we investigated TGFβ1-induced migration focusing on heat shock protein 27 (Hsp27) activation.
Methods: Cellular response by TGFβ1 in MDPC-23 cells was measured by Western blot and immunocytochemistry assay. Cell migration was determined by counting migrated cells using Chemotaxis Cell Migration Assay kit.
Results: TGFβ1 induced cell migration and increased the phosphorylation of Hsp27 and p38 MAPK in MDPC-23 cells. However, TGF-β1 did not affect Akt/NF-κB signaling to regulate migration of MDPC-23cells. Inhibiting p38 MAPK with SB203580 blocked TGFβ1-induced Hsp27 activation and cell migration.
Conclusion: Hsp27 phosphorylation followed by p38 MAPK activation was required for TGFβ1-induced migration and Hsp27 itself contributed to MDPC-23 cell migration.