Amelogenin Exon 5 Peptide Promotes Cell Proliferation and Osteogenic Differentiation in Human Dental Pulp Stem Cells
Round 1
Reviewer 1 Report
The manuscript is about promoting effect of SP in human DPSCs. It is interesting but not very new even when compared with the previous reports from the same research group. In addition, the issues mentioned below should be clarified by the authors before publication.
Is the reason for the reduction of the effect at 1000 ng/ml in Figure 1 from “toxicicity” ? Please provide the information about Peptide (its sequence and how to produce, etc). What is the mechanism of action of SP? Is the effect from surface binding like in growth factors? Please provide SD value in Figure 5, B, C and D with presenting statistical analysis method and value. In Figure 4C, there is no difference in Ca/P ratio after 14 day treatment. Could you explain or describe about this? According to the previous studies (reference 14 and 21), the authors also showed SP’s action in PDL (stem) cells like in DPSC in this manuscript. However, there is no explanation about the mechanism of facilitation of cell proliferation. Presenting data with explanation about cell signaling pathways which including the authors’ theory. In Page 2 Line 51, please provide the full name of DPCs. In Page 5 Line 133-136, when compared with Figure 5 (and legend), explanation of the expressions of JNK and p38 should be revised. Which is correct? In Page 7 Line 179, Fig. 4 may be changed as Fig. 5.
Author Response
We are grateful to reviewer1 for the critical comments and useful suggestions that helped us to improve our paper considerably. As indicated in the responses that follow, we have taken these comments and suggestions into account in the revised version of our manuscript. We attached the file of comment letter. Please see the attachment file.
Author Response File: 
Author Response.pdf
Reviewer 2 Report
The manuscript titled "Amelogenin exon 5 peptide promotes cell 2 proliferation and osteogenic differentiation in human 3 dental pulp stem cells" is interesting and it fits into the scope of the journal. The authors examine the biological function of the amelogenin exon 53 5-encoded peptide on human DPSCs, and they investigate the possible mechanism through the MAPK signal pathway.
The materials and methods are appropriate, the data well presented and the result original. I suggest citing and discuss the previous manuscripts published by the authors on the effect of Amelogenin Exon 5-Encoded Peptide on Odontoblast-Like KN-3 Cells.
After that, the manuscript is ready for the publication.
Author Response
We are grateful to reviewer2 for the critical comments and useful suggestions that helped us to improve our paper considerably. As indicated in the responses that follow, we have taken these comments and suggestions into account in the revised version of our manuscript. We attached the file of comment letter. Please see the attachment file.
Author Response File: Author Response.pdf
Round 2
Reviewer 1 Report
The authors revised previous version of manuscript accordingly.
However, I do not feel that the authors' responses are satisfying the readers.
In addition, it is not easy to understand the authors' interpretation of data.
I believe that additional experiments, which I suggest previously, is still required to justify the claims.
I'll end my review here and forward final decision to the Editor.
Author Response
We are grateful to reviewer1 for the critical comments and useful suggestions that helped us to improve our paper considerably. As indicated in the responses that follow, we have taken these comments and suggestions into account in the revised version of our manuscript. Please see the attachment file.
Author Response File: Author Response.pdf
