Objective To investigate the canonical Wnt/β-catenin signaling regulation of osteogenic differen⁃tiation of human periodontal ligament stem cells (PDLSCs). Methods In this study

the regulatory effect of the canon⁃ical Wnt signaling pathway on osteogenic differentiation of human PDLSCs were investigated at the cellular

genetic

and protein levels. Results After human PDLSCs were stimulated with lithium chloride（LiCl）

a canonical Wnt ac⁃tivator

the expression of β-catenin

Osterix

and osteoprotegerin（OPG）proteins was significantly up-regulated in a dose-dependent manner（P＜0.05）

increasing to 1.7 times

1.2 times and 1.2 times

respectively

that in the origi⁃nal control group

but the expression of receptor activator of nuclear factor-kappa B ligand（RANKL） did not change（P>0.05），resulting in an increased OPG/RANKL ratio. In addition

the mRNA levels of ALP

Col-I

and Runx2 were significantly increased（P＜0.05）

increasing to 1.7 times

1.5 times and 2 times

respectively

those in the original control group. Blockage of the canonical Wnt signaling pathway with cardamonin

an inhibitor of β-catenin

promoted the degradation of intracellular β-catenin

thereby down-regulating the protein expression of Osterix and OPG and the mRNA expression of ALP

Col-I

and Runx2. Conclusion The canonical Wnt signaling pathway can positively regulate osteogenic differentiation of human PDLSCs

providing a viable strategy for pharma⁃cological modulation of human PDLSC osteogenic differentiation via the canonical Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway in periodontal tissue engineering

as well as providing ideas for accelerating tooth movement and subsequent peri⁃odontal tissue remodeling during orthodontic treatment.