Periostin in Periodontics: A Brief Insight

Abstract

The prime objective of the periodontal treatment is to re-establish the lost periodontal tissue by forming new attachment of periodontal ligament, cementum and the alveolar bone. Periostin is a matricellular protein with its structure closely resembling to that of Drosophila fasciclin. It is expressed in the periodontal ligament, periosteum, alveolar bone, adipose tissue as well as skeletal tissue and has a key role in role in tooth development. This protein molecule has a striking similarity to the molecule beta ig-h3 which is induced by transforming growth factor beta (TGF-beta), promotes the adhesion and spreading of fibroblasts and aids in collagen formation. It is possibly involved in the post surgical regeneration of periodontal hard and soft tissues. Periostin is also linked to dental papilla cells and is associated with hard tissue formation stages of tooth development. This mini review focuses on the various aspects of periostin related to maintenance and development of collagen rich connective tissues around the teeth.