Mechanical sensing of the periodontal ligament

The periodontal ligament (PDL) is the core structure responsible for mechanical sensing in teeth, playing a crucial role in mechanical signal transmission and adaptive remodeling of the alveolar bone. It perceives occlusal forces through its unique extracellular matrix structure and various mechanosensitive ion channels, thereby activating intracellular signaling networks to coordinate osteoblast and osteoclast activity. Additionally, mechanical forces can induce PDL cells to regulate cytokine expression, promote the release of inflammatory factors, and recruit immune cells, thereby establishing a close connection between maintaining bone homeostasis and inducing low-grade inflammation. Based on the mechanisms described above, this review systematically summarizes the integration process of PDL from mechanical sensing to biological responses, with a focus on how mechanical stimulition are converted into biological signals that regulate bone remodeling and the immune microenvironment. By integrating the structural characteristics, biomechanical properties, and molecular mechanisms of mechanical sensing of PDL, this study systematically elucidates the core principles of its mechanical sensing. It also provides a detailed explanation of the specific pathways through which mechanical signals regulate cellular behavior via gene expression and signaling networks, thereby providing a theoretical basis for developing targeted intervention strategies targeting the adaptive and pathological remodeling of PDL.