Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40264229›Full record

ArticleStem cell research & therapy2025

Sildenafil promotes osteogenic differentiation of human mesenchymal stem cells and inhibits bone loss by affecting the TGF-β signaling pathway.

Menglong Hu, Likun Wu, Erfan Wei, Xingtong Pan, Qiyue Zhu, Xv Xiuyun, Letian Lv, Xinyi Dong, Hao Liu, Yunsong Liu

Abstract read
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Article in Stem cell research & therapy, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 4 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
4citing papers in PubMed
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1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

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2 · The registry

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3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

4 citing papers in PubMed.

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4 · The record

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5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

10 authors.

Menglong Hu *Department of Prosthodontics, Peking University School and Hospital of StomatologyPeking University School and Hospital of Stomatology, Beijing, 100081, China.
Likun Wu *Department of Prosthodontics, Peking University School and Hospital of StomatologyPeking University School and Hospital of Stomatology, Beijing, 100081, China.
Erfan WeiDepartment of Prosthodontics, Peking University School and Hospital of StomatologyPeking University School and Hospital of Stomatology, Beijing, 100081, China.
Xingtong PanDepartment of Prosthodontics, Peking University School and Hospital of StomatologyPeking University School and Hospital of Stomatology, Beijing, 100081, China.
Qiyue ZhuDepartment of Prosthodontics, Peking University School and Hospital of StomatologyPeking University School and Hospital of Stomatology, Beijing, 100081, China.
Xv XiuyunDepartment of Prosthodontics, Peking University School and Hospital of StomatologyPeking University School and Hospital of Stomatology, Beijing, 100081, China.
Letian LvThe Central Laboratory, Peking University School and Hospital of Stomatology, Beijing, 100081, China.
Xinyi DongDepartment of Prosthodontics, Peking University School and Hospital of StomatologyPeking University School and Hospital of Stomatology, Beijing, 100081, China.
Hao LiuThe Central Laboratory, Peking University School and Hospital of Stomatology, Beijing, 100081, China. kqliuhao@bjmu.edu.cn.
Yunsong LiuDepartment of Prosthodontics, Peking University School and Hospital of StomatologyPeking University School and Hospital of Stomatology, Beijing, 100081, China. liuyunsong@hsc.pku.edu.cn.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0001-8364-1898

Funding

the Beijing Natural Science Foundation-Haidian Original Innovation Joint Fund Project L222030, L222090the Beijing Natural Science Foundation-Haidian Original Innovation Joint Fund Project L222145the National Science Foundation of China 82170929the National Science Foundation of China 82370924the Youth Research Fund of Peking University School and Hospital of Stomatology PKUSS20230101
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundOsteoporosis, a common bone disorder, is primarily managed pharmacologically. However, existing medications are associated with non-trivial side-effects. Sildenafil, which already finds many clinical applications, promotes angiogenesis and cellular differentiation. Osteoporotic patients often exhibit a reduced intraosseous vasculature and impaired cellular differentiation; sildenafil may thus usefully treat osteoporosis.

methodsHere, the effects of sildenafil on the osteogenic differentiation of human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) were explored, as were the molecular mechanisms in play. We treated hMSCs with varying concentrations of sildenafil and measured cell proliferation and osteogenic differentiation in vitro. We used a mouse model of subcutaneous ectopic osteogenesis to assess sildenafil's effect on hMSC osteogenic differentiation in vivo. We also explored the effects of sildenafil on bone loss in tail-suspended (TS) and ovariectomized (OVX) mice. Mechanistically, we employed RNA-sequencing to define potentially relevant molecular pathways.

resultsThe appropriate concentrations of sildenafil significantly enhanced osteogenic hMSC differentiation; the optimal sildenafil concentration may be 10 mg/L. Sildenafil mitigated osteoporosis in OVX and TS mice. The appropriate concentrations of sildenafil probably promoted hMSC osteogenic differentiation by acting on the transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) signaling pathway.

conclusionsIn conclusion, sildenafil enhanced hMSC osteogenic differentiation and inhibited bone loss. Sildenafil may usefully treat osteoporosis. Our findings offer new insights into the physiological effects of the medicine.

Indexed as

Cell DifferentiationMesenchymal Stem CellsOsteogenesisOsteoporosisSildenafil CitrateTransforming Growth Factor betaAnimalsCell ProliferationFemaleHumansMiceSignal TransductionSildenafil CitrateTransforming Growth Factor betaMesenchymal stem cellsOsteogenesisOsteoporosisSildenafilTGF-β signaling pathway

Identifiers

PMID40264229
PMCPMC12016470

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.