CHD7 regulates osteogenic differentiation of human dental follicle cells via PTH1R signaling

Chromodomain helicase DNA-binding protein 7 (CHD7) is an ATP-dependent chromatin remodeling enzyme, functioning as chromatin reader to conduct epigenetic modification. Its effect on osteogenic differentiation of human dental follicle cells (hDFCs) remains unclear. Here we show CHD7 expression increases with osteogenic differentiation. knockdown of CHD7 impairs the osteogenic ability of hDFCs, characterized by reduced alkaline phosphatase activity and mineralization, and decreased expression of osteogenesis-related genes. Conversely, CHD7 overexpression enhances the osteogenic differentiation of hDFCs. Mechanically, RNA-seq analyses revealed the down-regulated enrichment of PTH (parathyroid hormone)/PTH1R (parathyroid hormone receptor-1) signaling pathway after CHD7 knockdown. We found the expression of PTH1R positively correlates with CHD7. Importantly, overexpression of PTH1R in CHD7-knockdown hDFCs partially rescued the impaired osteogenic differentiation. Our research demonstrates that CHD7 regulates the osteogenic differentiation of hDFCs by regulating the transcription of PTH1R. 6 samples were analyzed.