Work

Jaw-specific differential kinase activity profiles in human periodontal ligament stem cells under mechanical compression

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Increasing clinical and experimental evidence suggests that the upper and lower jaw exhibit pronounced functional and structural disparities that cannot be explained solely by classical anatomical differences. A central, yet unresolved question is whether periodontal ligament stem cells (PDLSCs) from these distinct regions display site-specific molecular signaling patterns in response to mechanical stress. We propose that PDLSCs derived from maxillary and mandibular regions activate distinct kinase signaling networks upon mechanical stimulation, thereby establishing a jaw-specific mechanobiological fingerprint. METHODS: peptide arrays that target both protein tyrosine kinases (PTKs) and serine/threonine kinases (STKs). Downstream pathway enrichment analyses were conducted using the Wikipathways, Gene Ontology (GO), KEGG, and Enriched pathways databases. RESULTS: Mechanical stimulation induced distinct kinase activation signatures depending on jaw origin. Maxillary PDLSCs displayed a predominance of STK activation, while mandibular cells showed a relative reduction in PTK signaling. Only two PTKs and four STKs were consistently regulated across both regions, supporting the presence of a region-specific mechanotransduction profile. CONCLUSION: These findings support our hypothesis that localized differences in kinase signaling may constitute a molecular basis for the clinically observed jaw-specific phenomena, such as heterogeneous orthodontic tooth movement and alveolar bone remodeling. Jaw-dependent mechanotransduction pathways can therefore be considered key determinants of periodontal biology and may provide a basis for follow-up studies aimed at enabling the development of personalized orthodontic and regenerative strategies.

Source: Stem Cell Research & Therapy

DOI: 10.1186/s13287-025-04778-5