Mechanism of lithium disilicate glass ceramics on angiogenic differentiation

This paper aims to study the effect of Lithium Disilicate Glass Ceramics (LDGC) on the angiogenic differentiation of cells. The effects of LDGC extracts on Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cell (HUVEC) growth and the Redox state were assessed through assays including CCK-8, Ki67 immunofluorescence staining, Total Antioxidant Capacity (T-AOC), and Nitric Oxide (NO) analysis, to determine the optimal concentration. The angiogenic differentiation of HUVECs in vitro, induced by LDGC extracts, was evaluated using Transwell cell migration assays, wound healing (cell scratching) assays, in vitro tube formation assays, Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA), and quantitative Real-Time PCR (qRT-PCR). Western blotting was utilized to assess the activation of the Wnt/β-catenin and AKT signaling pathways and investigate the impact of key proteins in alternative pathways following pathway inhibition, exploring the interaction between the two signaling pathways in the promotion of blood vessel formation by LDGC extract. Results indicate that 6.25 mg/mL LDGC can enhance HUVEC proliferation, improve total antioxidant capacity, increase cell migration ability, boost vasculogenic capacity, elevate the expression of angiogenesis-related factors, and maintain NO balance in vivo. During the vasculogenic differentiation of HUVECs prompted by LDGC extract, both the AKT and WNT signaling pathways were activated. Blocking these pathways significantly reduced the angiogenesis effect, underscoring their critical roles in this process. Moreover, within a pro-angiogenic environment, the regulatory influence of the AKT signaling pathway was particularly pronounced, which can modulate the WNT pathway through the regulation of GSK-3β.