Abstract: Objective: To investigate the effects of different static tensile stress on β-catenin and Wnt3a expression of Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway in human periodontal ligament cells (HPLFs). Methods: HPLFs were cultured by tissue enzyme digestion method in vitro. They were divided into three groups according to loading time for 2h, 4h and 6h. Then each group was divided into three subgroups according to static tensile stress of 8%, 12% and 16% elongation. And the group without loading or elongation was set as control group. The expressions of β-catenin and Wnt3a were detected by western blot analysis. Results: Western blot analysis showed that static tensile stress could significantly reduce the expression of β-catenin and Wnt3a in HPLFs when compared with the control group (P<0.05). And in each subgroup, the expression of β-catenin and Wnt3a were decreased with gradually increased static tensile stress (P<0.05). Conclusion: β-catenin and Wnt3a participated in the metabolism of HPLFs which can be inhibited by static tensile stress.

Key words: Human periodontal ligament cells, Static tensile stress, β-catenin, Wnt3a, Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway