DOI: 10.1111/jcpe.70205 ISSN: 0303-6979

Hyaluronic Acid Modulates IL1β ‐Induced Cytokine Profile of Gingival Mesenchymal Stem Cells

Sema S. Hakki, Darko Božić, Anton Sculean, Serife Buket Bozkurt

ABSTRACT

Aim

Hyaluronic acid (HA) possesses anti‐inflammatory properties critical for periodontal wound healing. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the role of cross‐linked high‐molecular‐weight (HMW) HA on cytokine mRNA expression, cell viability and migration in IL‐1β‐stimulated gingival mesenchymal stem cells (gMSCs).

Materials and Methods

gMSCs were treated with IL‐1β (1 ng/mL), HA dilutions (1:2 and 1:4) or both. Cell viability was determined using the MTT assay at 24 h. Cell migration was assessed at 24 h using a wound‐healing assay. RNA was isolated on days 1 and 7, and mRNA expressions of IL‐1β, IL‐6, IL‐8, IL‐1 and IL‐17 were evaluated via RT‐PCR.

Results

IL‐1β significantly reduced cell viability ( p  < 0.01), while HA co‐treatment restored it to control levels ( p  < 0.05) and increased wound closure after 8 h ( p  < 0.05). IL‐1β, IL‐6 and IL‐8 mRNA expressions were up‐regulated by IL‐1β; HA significantly decreased their expression on days 1 and 7 ( p  < 0.01), enhanced IL‐10 and suppressed IL‐17 ( p  < 0.01).

Conclusions

HA suppressed pro‐inflammatory cytokines (IL‐1β, IL‐6, IL‐8 and IL‐17) while up‐regulating IL‐10 in IL‐1β‐exposed gMSCs, restoring cell viability and accelerating wound closure under inflammatory conditions. These findings support the rationale for HA's clinical use in periodontal therapy.