Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 13, 2026
08:43
Three-dimensional Inflammatory Human Tissue Equivalents of Gingiva
Published on: April 3, 2018
10.3K
TGF-β-Dependent α11 Integrin Expression Is Reduced in Aging Gingival Wounds.
Susana Ríos1, Yongqiang Wang2, Valeria Muñoz1
1School of Dentistry, Faculty of Medicine, Pontificia Universidad Católica de, Santiago, Chile.
Summary
Aging impairs gingival healing by reducing TGF-β1 signaling, which diminishes α11 integrin expression in fibroblasts and collagen organization in wounds.
Area of Science:
- Cell Biology
- Connective Tissue Biology
- Wound Healing Research
Background:
- Transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β) regulates α11 integrin, a key collagen receptor vital for wound repair.
- Impaired wound healing in aging mammals suggests age-related changes in TGF-β signaling pathways.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate how aging affects TGF-β-mediated α11 integrin expression during gingival repair.
- To elucidate the role of reduced TGF-β signaling in impaired connective tissue healing in aged individuals.
Main Methods:
- Primary human gingival fibroblasts from young and aged donors were analyzed for integrin and TGF-β expression via RT-qPCR and Western blot.
- TGF-β activity was assessed using a gene reporter assay, and ELISA quantified TGF-β isoforms.
- Gingival wound healing was evaluated in young and aged mice, quantifying collagen and α11 integrin levels.
Main Results:
- Older donors' fibroblasts showed significantly reduced α11 integrin and TGF-β1 expression and activity compared to younger donors.
- TGF-β1 treatment increased α11 integrin expression in young fibroblasts but not in aged ones.
- Aged mice exhibited decreased collagen deposition, organization, and lower α11 integrin and TGF-β1 levels in gingival wounds.
Conclusions:
- Aging is linked to decreased TGF-β1 expression and signaling in gingival fibroblasts, leading to reduced α11 integrin expression.
- This impaired TGF-β1-dependent α11 integrin signaling pathway is a potential mechanism underlying diminished gingival connective tissue repair in aging.
- Findings highlight the critical role of TGF-β1 and α11 integrin in age-related changes in tissue repair.
Related Concept Videos
01:17Intracellular Signaling Affects Focal Adhesions
3.5K
Integrins act both as extracellular input receivers and as intracellular processing activators. As their name suggests, integrins are entirely integrated into the membrane structure. Their hydrophobic membrane-spanning regions interact with the phospholipid bilayer's hydrophobic region. These membrane receptors provide extracellular attachment sites for effectors like hormones and growth factors. They activate intracellular response cascades when their effectors are bound and active.
Some...
Some...
3.5K
01:19The Effect of Aging on Tissues
3.2K
Several body functions deteriorate with age. The external signs of aging are easily identifiable. For example, the skin becomes dry, less elastic, and thins out, forming wrinkles. The skin of the face begins to appear looser due to a decrease in the levels of elastic and collagen fibers in the connective tissue. Additionally, melanin production in the hair follicle decreases with age, resulting in gray hair. Moreover, the senses of sight and hearing decline, so glasses and hearing aids may...
3.2K
01:16TGF - β Signaling Pathway
10.4K
The TGF-β signaling pathway regulates cell growth, differentiation, adhesion, motility, and development. TGF-β ligands that induce TGF-β signaling are synthesized in their latent form. Several proteases or cell surface receptors such as integrins act upon the latent form, releasing the active ligand. There are three types of mammalian TGF-βs: (TGF-β1, TGF-β2, and TGF-β3) that bind as homodimers or heterodimers to TGF-β receptors. The TGF-β receptors...
10.4K
01:15Activation of Integrins
4.9K
Integrins bind ligands and transmit information from outside the cell to inside or vice-versa through an "outside-in signaling" or "inside-out signaling."
In "outside-in signaling," external factors in the extracellular space bind to exposed ligand binding sites on integrins. This causes the inactive protein to undergo a conformational change to become active. Integrins are often clustered on the cell membrane. Repetitive and regularly spaced ligand binding...
In "outside-in signaling," external factors in the extracellular space bind to exposed ligand binding sites on integrins. This causes the inactive protein to undergo a conformational change to become active. Integrins are often clustered on the cell membrane. Repetitive and regularly spaced ligand binding...
4.9K