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Updated: Jul 9, 2025
Studying Orthodontic Tooth Movement in Mice
Published on: August 2, 2024
MicroRNA-155 targets SOCS1 to inhibit osteoclast differentiation during orthodontic tooth movement
Yao Jiao1, Sicong Mi2, Xiaoyan Li1,3
1Department of Periodontics, School of Stomatology, Capital Medical University, Tian Tan Xi Li No.4, Beijing, 100050, P. R. China.
Background:
MicroRNA-155 (miR-155) is a multifunctional miRNA whose expression is known to be involved in a range of physiological and pathological processes. Its association with several oral diseases has been established. However, the specific role of miR-155 in orthodontic tooth movement remains unclear. In this study, we investigated the impact of miR-155 on osteoclast differentiation and orthodontic tooth movement models, aiming to explore the underlying mechanisms.
Methods:
In this experiment, we utilized various agents including miR-155 mimic, miR-155 inhibitor, as well as non-specific sequences (NC mimic & NC inhibitor) to treat murine BMMNCs. Subsequently, osteoclast induction (OC) was carried out to examine the changes in the differentiation ability of monocytes under different conditions. To assess these changes, we employed RT-PCR, Western blotting, and TRAP staining techniques. For the orthodontic tooth movement model in mice, the subjects were divided into two groups: the NaCl group (injected with saline solution) and the miR-155 inhibitor group (injected with AntagomiR-155). We observed the impact of orthodontic tooth movement using stereoscopic microscopy, micro-CT, and HE staining. Furthermore, we performed RT-PCR and Western blotting analyses on the tissues surrounding the moving teeth. Additionally, we employed TargetScan to predict potential target genes of miR-155.
Results:
During osteoclast induction of BMMNCs, the expression of miR-155 exhibited an inverse correlation with osteoclast-related markers. Overexpression of miR-155 led to a decrease in osteoclast-related indexes, whereas underexpression of miR-155 increased those indexes. In the mouse orthodontic tooth movement model, the rate of tooth movement was enhanced following injection of the miR-155 inhibitor, leading to heightened osteoclast activity. TargetScan analysis identified SOCS1 as a target gene of miR-155.
Conclusions:
Our results suggest that miR-155 functions as an inhibitor of osteoclast differentiation, and it appears to regulate osteoclasts during orthodontic tooth movement. The regulatory mechanism of miR-155 in this process involves the targeting of SOCS1.
Insights
MicroRNA-155 (miR-155) inhibits osteoclast differentiation and slows tooth movement. Inhibiting miR-155 accelerates orthodontic tooth movement by increasing osteoclast activity, targeting SOCS1.
Area of Science:
- Oral biology and physiology
- Molecular biology and genetics
- Biomedical engineering and orthodontics
Background:
- MicroRNA-155 (miR-155) is implicated in various physiological and pathological processes, including oral diseases.
- The precise role of miR-155 in orthodontic tooth movement is not well understood.
- This study investigates miR-155's function in osteoclast differentiation and orthodontic tooth movement.
Purpose of the Study:
- To elucidate the role of miR-155 in osteoclast differentiation.
- To determine the effect of miR-155 on orthodontic tooth movement in a mouse model.
- To explore the molecular mechanisms underlying miR-155's action in this context.
Main Methods:
- Murine BMMNCs were treated with miR-155 mimic/inhibitor to assess osteoclast differentiation via RT-PCR, Western blotting, and TRAP staining.
- Orthodontic tooth movement was evaluated in mice using stereoscopic microscopy, micro-CT, and HE staining after miR-155 inhibitor injection.
- Target gene prediction for miR-155 was performed using TargetScan.
Main Results:
- miR-155 expression inversely correlated with osteoclast markers; its overexpression decreased osteoclast activity, while inhibition increased it.
- Inhibition of miR-155 accelerated tooth movement and enhanced osteoclast activity in the orthodontic model.
- TargetScan analysis identified SOCS1 as a direct target gene of miR-155.
Conclusions:
- miR-155 acts as an inhibitor of osteoclast differentiation.
- miR-155 plays a regulatory role in osteoclast activity during orthodontic tooth movement.
- The mechanism involves miR-155 targeting SOCS1.
