TITLE:
The Effect of Phosphatase and Tension Homolog (PTEN) on Homeostasis of the Periodontal Ligament
AUTHORS:
Wonjun Choi, Won Hee Lim
KEYWORDS:
Phosphatase and Tension Homolog (PTEN), Periodontal Ligament (PDL)
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Stomatology,
Vol.12 No.3,
March
23,
2022
ABSTRACT: Aim: Phosphatase and tension homolog (PTEN) has been known to maintain homeostatic control over the body. The roles of PTEN in periodontal complex are unknown. The purpose of this study was to investigate the role of PTEN in periodontal structures by removing PTEN from osteoblasts and odontoblasts. Materials and Methods: The function of this endogenous PTEN was evaluated by conditionally eliminating the PTEN gene using an Osteocalcin (OCN) Cre driver. The resulting OCN-Cretg/+; Ptenfl/fl mice were examined using micro-CT and histology, immunohistochemical analyses for osteogenic markers in the periodontal ligament (PDL) and bone turnover. Results: Bone apposition was increased around molar areas accompanying deposition of cementum in micro CT. Osteoprogenitor markers except for OCN in the PDL maintained their expression in both wild-type and OCN-Cretg/+; Ptenfl/fl mice. Both alkaline phosphatase activity and osteoclast activity increased in the PDL of OCN-Cretg/+; Ptenfl/fl mice compared to those in wild-type mice. Conclusions: Loss of PTEN causes an increase of bone turnover in the periodontal surrounding tissues with an increase of cementogenesis. These findings underscore the effect of PTEN on homeostasis of the periodontal ligament.