Temporal and spatial expression analysis of periostin in mice periodontitis model.

Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the temporal and spatial changes in the expression of periostin during periodontal inflammation in mice.

Methods: A periodontitis model was constructed using silk thread ligation. Mice were randomly divided into five groups including control group, 4-day ligation group, 7-day ligation group, 14-day ligation group, and self-healing group (thread removal for 14 days after 14-day ligation). Micro-CT and histological staining were performed to characterize the dynamic changes in the mouse periodontal tissue in each group. RNAscope and immunohistochemical staining were used to analyze the pattern of changes in periostin at various stages of periodontitis. The cell experiment was divided into three groups: control group, lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulation group (treated with LPS for 12 h), and LPS stimulation removal group (treated with LPS for 3 h followed by incubation with medium for 9 h). Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) was used to detect the expression of periostin, transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1), and matrix metalloproteinase 2 (MMP2).

Results: Significant alveolar bone resorption was observed 7 days after ligation. With increasing duration of ligation, the damage to the mouse periodontal tissue was aggravated, which manifested as increased osteoclasts, widening of the periodontal membrane space, and decreased alveolar bone height. Some degree of periodontal tissue repair was observed in the self-healing group. Periostin expression decreased at 4 and 7 days compared with the control group and increased at 14 days compared with 4 and 7 days. A significant recovery was found in the self-healing group. The qRT-PCR results showed that the expression of periostin and TGF-β1 in the LPS stimulation group decreased compared with that in the control group but significantly recovered in the LPS removal group.

Conclusions: Periostin expression in the PDL of mice showed a downward and upward trend with inflammation progression. The significant recovery of periostin expression after removing inflammatory stimuli may be related to TGF-β1, which is crucial to maintain the integrity of the PDL.