Shikonin induces odontoblastic differentiation of dental pulp stem cells via AKT–mTOR signaling in the presence of CD44

<b>Purpose</b>: In our previous study, we demonstrated that hyaluronan induces odontoblastic differentiation of dental pulp stem cells via interactions with CD44. However, it remains unclear whether CD44 expression by dental pulp stem cells is required for odontoblastic differentiation. <b>Methods</b>: We searched for a compound other than hyaluronan that induces odontoblastic differentiation of dental pulp stem cells and used western blotting to determine whether CD44 is involved in the induction of odontoblastic differentiation by the compound. We further validated the cell signaling details of the compound-induced expression of dentin sialophosphoprotein (DSPP), which is known as a marker of odontoblastic differentiation. <b>Results</b>: We investigated shikonin, which is one of the derivatives of naphthoquinone, the skeleton of vitamin K. Shikonin-induced expression of DSPP was inhibited by PI3K, AKT, and mTOR inhibitors. Additionally, shikonin-induced expression of DSPP was inhibited in dental pulp stem cells transfected with siRNA against CD44. <b>Conclusions</b>: Shikonin can stimulate dental pulp stem cells to undergo odontoblastic differentiation through a mechanism involving the AKT–mTOR signaling pathway and CD44. Although expression of CD44 is important for inducing odontoblastic differentiation of dental pulp stem cells, the relationship between the AKT–mTOR signaling pathway and CD44 expression, in the context of shikonin stimulation, has not yet been elucidated. This study suggests that shikonin may be useful for inducing odontoblastic differentiation of dental pulp stem cells, and that it may have clinical applications, including protection of the dental pulp.