Alteration of BMP-4 and Runx2 expression patterns in mouse temporomandibular joint after ovariectomy.
OBJECTIVE
Temporomandibular disorder (TMD) includes a number of clinical conditions involving the masticatory musculature or the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) and associated structures. Previous studies have shown the presence of high-affinity estrogen receptors in the TMJ articular cartilage. The aim of this study was to evaluate the developmental changes in mouse TMJ under estrogen deficiency.


METHODS
Four-month-old ovariectomized mice were killed after certain weeks. We examined the significant alterations of the expression patterns of bone morphogenetic protein (BMP)-4, Runx2, and bone sialoprotein (BSP) after ovariectomy.


RESULTS
In the control group, BMP-4, Runx2, and BSP expressions showed no definite difference at any stage. In the ovariectomy group, the intensity of BMP-4 and Runx2 expression increased after ovariectomy. BSP immunoreactivity, however, increased slightly at 2 weeks but then decreased gradually.


CONCLUSIONS
Estrogen plays important roles in the metabolism and maintenance of TMJ via regulations of signaling molecules such as BMP-4, Runx2, and BSP. Our results suggest that estrogen deficiency is a candidate cause of TMD. This study revealed further osteogenetic properties of estrogen that may be useful in the clinical treatment and prevention of TMD.
Min
H-J
HJ
Division in Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Department of Oral Biology, College of Dentistry, Yonsei Center of Biotechnology, Yonsei University, 134 Shinchon-Dong, Seodaemoon-Gu, Seoul 120-752, Korea.
Lee
M-J
MJ
Kim
J-Y
JY
Cho
S-W
SW
Park
H-D
HD
Lee
S-I
SI
Kim
H-J
HJ
Jung
H-S
HS
D000818:Animals; D055415:Bone Morphogenetic Protein 4; D019485:Bone Morphogenetic Proteins / Q000032:analysis*; D002358:Cartilage, Articular / Q000196:embryology / Q000378:metabolism; D024121:Collagen Type X / Q000032:analysis; D004396:Coloring Agents; D050659:Core Binding Factor Alpha 1 Subunit / Q000032:analysis*; D004967:Estrogens / Q000172:deficiency / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D017403:In Situ Hybridization; D058574:Integrin-Binding Sialoprotein; D047908:Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / Q000032:analysis; D051379:Mice; D008813:Mice, Inbred ICR; D010012:Osteogenesis / Q000502:physiology; D010052:Ovariectomy; D011897:Random Allocation; D012795:Sialoglycoproteins / Q000032:analysis; D013704:Temporomandibular Joint / Q000196:embryology / Q000378:metabolism*; D013997:Time Factors
C525810:Bmp4 protein, mouse; D055415:Bone Morphogenetic Protein 4; D019485:Bone Morphogenetic Proteins; D024121:Collagen Type X; D004396:Coloring Agents; D050659:Core Binding Factor Alpha 1 Subunit; D004967:Estrogens; C546872:Ibsp protein, mouse; D058574:Integrin-Binding Sialoprotein; D047908:Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; C493716:Runx2 protein, mouse; D012795:Sialoglycoproteins