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RANK/RANKL/OPG Expression in Rapid Maxillary Expansion
Maya Fernanda Manfrin Arnez1, Larissa Soares Nogueira Ribeiro1, Gabriel Dessotti Barretto2
1Department of Pediatric Clinics, School of Dentistry of Ribeirão Preto, USP - Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto,SP, Brazil.
Brazilian Dental Journal
|January 4, 2018
Summary
Rapid maxillary expansion (RME) in rats influences osteoclastogenesis signaling. The study found that the RANK, RANK-L, and OPG system plays a key role in bone remodeling following RME, affecting bone resorption.
Area of Science:
- Orthodontics and Dental Research
- Molecular Biology
- Bone Physiology
Background:
- Rapid maxillary expansion (RME) is an orthodontic procedure to widen the midpalatal suture.
- Understanding the molecular mechanisms of bone remodeling during RME is crucial for clinical applications.
- Osteoclastogenesis, the formation of bone-resorbing cells, is a key process in suture expansion.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the expression of key osteoclastogenesis signaling molecules in the midpalatal suture after RME in a rat model.
- To evaluate the temporal changes in RANKL, RANK, and OPG gene expression following RME.
- To determine the role of the RANK/RANKL/OPG system in bone remodeling during RME.
Main Methods:
- Thirty male Wistar rats were divided into control and RME groups.
- RME was induced using a custom intraoral device.
- Quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) was employed to measure gene expression levels of Tumor necrosis factor ligand superfamily member 11 (Tnfsf11/RANKL), Receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa-B (Tnfrsf11a/RANK), and Osteoprotegerin (Tnfrsf11b/OPG) at 3, 7, and 10 days post-procedure.
- Statistical analysis was performed using two-way ANOVA and Tukey's post-hoc test.
Main Results:
- Gene expression of RANK and RANKL was upregulated at 7 and 10 days post-RME.
- OPG gene expression showed an upregulation at 3 and 7 days post-RME.
- The RANKL/OPG ratio indicated increased bone resorption signaling at 3 and 7 days, while at 10 days, signaling favored bone formation with OPG upregulation in the RME group compared to controls.
Conclusions:
- The RANK/RANKL/OPG system is actively involved in the bone remodeling process occurring in the midpalatal suture after rapid maxillary expansion.
- Dynamic changes in the expression of RANK, RANKL, and OPG suggest a coordinated molecular response to mechanical stress during RME.
- These findings provide molecular insights into the biological mechanisms underlying suture expansion and subsequent bone regeneration.
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