Advances in defining the factors and mechanisms controlling development and regeneration of periodontal tissues

Monday, September 22, 2014 — Poster Session II
4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.	FAES Academic Center	NIDCR	DIR-10

* FARE Award Winner

Authors

• M.J. Somerman
• B Foster
• L Wang
• N Aomin
• V Thumbigere-Math
• H Xe
• A Tran
• C Willoughby
• N KalantariPour
• Dr. Golberg and team
• Dr. Sanford-Burnham and team
• Dr. Millian and team
• Dr. Nociti and team
• Dr. Kantovitz and team
• Dr. Zweifler

Abstract

Periodontal diseases affect all ages, resulting in destruction of the tooth attachment complex, and leading to tooth loss if left untreated. Regeneration of periodontal tissues is possible, though existing therapies are unpredictable. The broad goals of our research are to define the function of key factors regulating development and maintenance of the dental-oral-craniofacial (DOC) complex, using murine models and cell cultures, and to apply this knowledge to predictably regenerate DOC tissues. We have demonstrated that genes and proteins associated with phosphate (Pi) and pyrophosphate (PPi) metabolism are critical for periodontal tissue formation. Moreover, extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins in the SIBLING (small integrin binding ligand N-linked glycoproteins) family are expressed in a sequential manner during cementum formation. Absence of SIBLING family member bone sialoprotein (BSP) in a knock-out mouse model results in lack of functional cementum and a marked disruption of periodontal tissues. Results indicate that BSP plays an essential role in acellular cementum formation, involved in initiating mineralization and controlling cell maturation. The collective data suggest that cementum development and function depend on ECM formation and proper modulation of PPi/Pi levels to direct ECM mineralization, and that factors directing ECM and/or PPi/Pi are attractive candidates for use in regenerative therapies.

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