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Injury-Activated ERMs Undergo EMT and May Contribute to Periodontal Repair
1Department of Surgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA.
Journal of Dental Research
|December 18, 2025
Summary
Epithelial rests of Malassez (ERMs) activate after periodontal injury, potentially aiding repair by undergoing epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and remodeling tissue. These findings suggest ERMs play a dynamic role in healing. Keywords: ERMs, periodontal repair, EMT.
Area of Science:
- Cell Biology
- Periodontal Research
- Regenerative Medicine
Background:
- Epithelial rests of Malassez (ERMs) were historically viewed as vestigial.
- Recent evidence suggests ERMs may participate in periodontal repair due to their location.
- Understanding ERM activation is crucial for periodontal regeneration.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the activation mechanisms of ERMs following periodontal injury.
- To analyze the functional and behavioral changes of ERMs post-injury.
- To explore the potential role of ERMs in periodontal tissue repair.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a Wnt lineage tracer mouse model (Axin2CreERT2/+;R26RmTmG/+) to track Wnt-responsive cells.
- Analyzed murine ERMs from developmental and injury models using histology and immunohistochemistry (IHC).
- Performed single-cell RNA sequencing and IHC on human ERMs.
Main Results:
- Injury significantly increased ERM number and size without proliferation.
- Activated ERMs showed Wnt pathway component expression and markers of epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT).
- Some ERM cells adopted stellate morphology, remodeled matrix, and contributed to cementum and junctional epithelium repair.
Conclusions:
- Injury-activated ERMs exhibit dynamic Wnt responsiveness and undergo EMT.
- A subset of ERM cells actively participate in periodontal repair processes.
- ERMs may play a significant role in regenerating damaged periodontal tissues.
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