Abstract
Tenomodulin (Tnmd) is a type II transmembrane protein characteristically expressed in dense connective tissues such as tendons and ligaments. Its expression in the periodontal ligament (PDL) has also been demonstrated, though the timing and function remain unclear. We investigated the expression of Tnmd during murine tooth eruption and explored its biological functions in vitro. Tnmd expression was related to the time of eruption when occlusal force was transferred to the teeth and surrounding tissues. Tnmd overexpression enhanced cell adhesion in NIH3T3 and human PDL cells. In addition, Tnmd-knockout fibroblasts showed decreased cell adhesion. In the extracellular portions of Tnmd, the BRICHOS domain or CS region was found to be responsible for Tnmd-mediated enhancement of cell adhesion. These results suggest that Tnmd acts on the maturation or maintenance of the PDL by positively regulating cell adhesion via its BRICHOS domain.
Highlights
The periodontal ligament (PDL) is a supporting tissue that plays important roles in connecting teeth to the jaw, sensing occlusal force, and providing shock absorption [1]
1) Tnmd was modified by two N-glycans, and its C-terminal domain (CTD) was not cleaved in NIH3T3
We propose that Tnmd is expressed after the tooth erupts to the oral cavity, and is involved in maturation and maintenance of the structure of the PDL by positively regulating adhesion of PDL cells to ECM
Summary
The periodontal ligament (PDL) is a supporting tissue that plays important roles in connecting teeth to the jaw, sensing occlusal force, and providing shock absorption [1]. Microorganisms in the oral cavity and an aggressive response of the immune system against them cause this inflammatory disease [3], resulting in loss of the functions of the PDL and involved teeth. Recent studies have reported a close relation between severe periodontitis and the progression of diseases such as type 2 diabetes mellitus [4], rheumatoid arthritis [5], hypertension [6,7], and atherosclerosis [8,9], indicating the importance of oral healthcare. Once the PDL is destroyed, regeneration is challenging; reliable treatment to fully recover the PDL is limited due to the shortage of knowledge about how the PDL is developed and maintained during and after tooth eruption. Understanding the nature of the PDL in order to establish an effective and practical regeneration strategy is an important task for both medical and dental health care
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