Cristiane R. Salmon

DNA methylation status of the IL8 gene promoter in oral cells of smokers and non-smokers with chronic periodontitis

AIM This study analysed the status of DNA methylation in the promoter region of the IL8 gene in oral mucosa cells from healthy, smoker and non-smoker subjects with chronic periodontitis and compared these findings among groups with mRNA levels. MATERIAL AND METHODS Genomic DNA from epithelial oral cells of 41 healthy subjects, 30 smokers with chronic periodontitis and 40 non-smokers with chronic periodontitis were purified and modified by sodium bisulphite. Genomic DNA from blood leucocytes and gingival cells from biopsies of 13 subjects of each group were also purified and modified by sodium bisulphite. Modified DNA was submitted by methylation-specific polymerase chain reaction (PCR) (MSP), electrophoresed on 10% polyacrylamide gels and stained with SYBR Gold. Total RNA from gingival cells was also isolated using the TRIzol reagent, and real-time PCR performance was used to detect the levels of interleukin-8 mRNA. RESULTS Our results indicate that individuals with chronic periodontitis, independent of smoking habit, have a higher percentage of hipomethylation of the IL8 gene than those controls in epithelial oral cells (p<0.0001), and expression of higher levels of interleukin-8 (IL-8) mRNA than controls in gingival cells (p=0.007). No significant differences among groups were observed in gingival cells and blood cells. CONCLUSION We conclude that inflammation in the oral mucosa might lead to changes in the DNA methylation status of the IL8 gene in epithelial oral cells.

Proteomic analysis of human dental cementum and alveolar bone

UNLABELLED Dental cementum (DC) is a bone-like tissue covering the tooth root and responsible for attaching the tooth to the alveolar bone (AB) via the periodontal ligament (PDL). Studies have unsuccessfully tried to identify factors specific to DC versus AB, in an effort to better understand DC development and regeneration. The present study aimed to use matched human DC and AB samples (n=7) to generate their proteomes for comparative analysis. Bone samples were harvested from tooth extraction sites, whereas DC samples were obtained from the apical root portion of extracted third molars. Samples were denatured, followed by protein extraction reduction, alkylation and digestion for analysis by nanoAcquity HPLC system and LTQ-FT Ultra. Data analysis demonstrated that a total of 318 proteins were identified in AB and DC. In addition to shared proteins between these tissues, 105 and 83 proteins exclusive to AB or DC were identified, respectively. This is the first report analyzing the proteomic composition of human DC matrix and identifying putative unique and enriched proteins in comparison to alveolar bone. These findings may provide novel insights into developmental differences between DC and AB, and identify candidate biomarkers that may lead to more efficient and predictable therapies for periodontal regeneration. BIOLOGICAL SIGNIFICANCE Periodontal disease is a highly prevalent disease affecting the world population, which involves breakdown of the tooth supporting tissues, the periodontal ligament, alveolar bone, and dental cementum. The lack of knowledge on specific factors that differentiate alveolar bone and dental cementum limits the development of more efficient and predictable reconstructive therapies. In order to better understand cementum development and potentially identify factors to improve therapeutic outcomes, we took the unique approach of using matched patient samples of dental cementum and alveolar bone to generate and compare a proteome list for each tissue. A potential biomarker for dental cementum was identified, superoxide dismutase 3 (SOD3), which is found in cementum and cementum-associated cells in mouse, pig, and human tissues. These findings may provide novel insights into developmental differences between alveolar bone and dental cementum, and represent the basis for improved and more predictable therapies.

Periosteum-Derived Cells as an Alternative to Bone Marrow Cells for Bone Tissue Engineering Around Dental Implants. A Histomorphometric Study in Beagle Dogs

BACKGROUND The aim of this study is to investigate the potential use of periosteum-derived cells (PCs) for tissue engineering in peri-implant defects. METHODS Bone marrow cells (BMCs) and PCs were harvested from seven adult beagle dogs, cultured in vitro, and phenotypically characterized with regard to their osteogenic properties. The animals were then subjected to teeth extraction, and 3 months later, two implant sites were drilled, bone dehiscences created, and dental implants placed. Dehiscences were randomly assigned to one of two groups: PCs (PCs + carrier) and BMCs (BMCs + carrier). After 3 months, the animals were sacrificed and the implants with adjacent hard tissues were processed for undecalcified sections. Bone-to-implant contact, bone fill within the limits of implant threads, and new bone area in a zone lateral to the implant were histometrically obtained. RESULTS In vitro, phenotypic characterization demonstrated that both cell populations presented osteogenic potential, as identified by the mineral nodule formation and the expression of bone markers. Histometrically, an intergroup analysis showed that both cell-treated defects had similar bone fill within the limits of implant threads and bone-to-implant contact (P >0.05), and although a trend toward higher new bone area values was found for the PC group, there was no significant difference between the experimental groups (P >0.05). CONCLUSIONS Periosteal and bone marrow cells presented a similar potential for bone reconstruction. As such, periosteum may be considered as an alternative source of osteogenic cells in implant dentistry.

Immunolocalization of CSF-1, RANKL and OPG in the enamel-related periodontium of the rat incisor and their implications for alveolar bone remodeling

The enamel-related periodontium (ERP) in rat incisors is related to bone resorption. In these teeth the face of the socket related to the enamel is continuously removed at the inner side and newly formed at the outer side. CSF-1, RANKL and OPG are regulatory molecules essential for osteoclastogenesis. To verify the effects of impeded eruption on bone remodeling, the tooth eruption was prevented by immobilization of lower rat incisor and CSF-1, RANKL and OPG distribution in the ERP was analyzed after 18 days of immobilization and in normal eruption. The region of the alveolar crest of the rat incisor was used. Immunohistochemistry and tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) were performed. The immunostaining of the dental follicle was quantified using Leica QWin software. Positive-TRAP osteoclasts were counted, and both groups were compared. In the normal incisor, the number of osteoclasts was significantly greater than in the immobilized tooth. In the dental follicle, there was no significant difference in the immunostaining intensity for CSF-1 and OPG between the groups (p > 0.05), but for RANKL the immobilized incisor group showed immunostaining intensity smaller than the normal incisor group (p < 0.01). These findings suggest that changes in the ERP, in the immobilized incisor, modify the RANKL/OPG ratio, in the presence of CSF-1, altering the metabolism of cells that participate in the bone remodeling.

EEF1D modulates proliferation and epithelial–mesenchymal transition in oral squamous cell carcinoma

EEF1D (eukaryotic translation elongation factor 1δ) is a subunit of the elongation factor 1 complex of proteins that mediates the elongation process during protein synthesis via enzymatic delivery of aminoacyl-tRNAs to the ribosome. Although the functions of EEF1D in the translation process are recognized, EEF1D expression was found to be unbalanced in tumours. In the present study, we demonstrate the overexpression of EEF1D in OSCC (oral squamous cell carcinoma), and revealed that EEF1D and protein interaction partners promote the activation of cyclin D1 and vimentin proteins. EEF1D knockdown in OSCC reduced cell proliferation and induced EMT (epithelial-mesenchymal transition) phenotypes, including cell invasion. Taken together, these results define EEF1D as a critical inducer of OSCC proliferation and EMT.

Characterization of Highly Osteoblast/Cementoblast Cell Clones From a CD105-Enriched Periodontal Ligament Progenitor Cell Population

BACKGROUND It is known that periodontal ligament (PDL) harbors a heterogeneous progenitor cell population at different stages of lineage commitment. However, characterization of PDL stem cells committed to osteoblast/cementoblast (O/C) differentiation remains to be elucidated. The present study is carried out to isolate single cell-derived, cluster of differentiation (CD)105-positive PDL clones and to characterize the clones that present high potential to differentiate toward O/C phenotype in vitro. METHODS Isolation of single cell-derived colonies (clones) from a CD105-enriched PDL progenitor cell population was performed by the ring-cloning technique. Cell clones were evaluated for their O/C differentiation potential, metabolic activity, and expression of STRO-1 protein. Additionally, the clones that showed potential to O/C differentiation were characterized by quantitative reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) for expression of runt-related transcriptor factor 2 (RUNX2), alkaline phosphatase, CD105, and CD166 during osteogenic induction. RESULTS Six PDL-CD105(+) clones were obtained, three being highly O/C clones (C-O) and three others that did not have the ability to produce mineralized matrix in vitro (C-F). The C-O group showed lower metabolic activity compared with the C-F group, and both cell groups were positively immunostained for STRO-1. qRT-PCR analysis demonstrated an increased expression of transcripts for RUNX2 and CD166 during the maturation of C-O cells toward O/C phenotype. CONCLUSIONS These results provide evidence that PDL-CD105(+) purified progenitor cells comprise a heterogeneous cell population that presents a cell subset with high O/C potential and, further, that surface antigen CD166 is modulated during the O/C maturation of this cell subset.

Gene expression analysis in microdissected samples from decalcified tissues.

Objective:The aim of this study was to determine the impact of standard methods for processing decalcified highly mineralized tissues on RNA yield and quality from microdissected samples. Design:Rat mandibles were fixed with either formalin-based or ethanol-based fixatives, decalcified in 20% ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid solution for 15 days, and embedded in paraffin. Transversal sections of the molars were mounted on membrane glass slides for laser capture microdissection. Unfixed frozen liver samples were used as controls to determine the impact of fixatives, decalcification and paraffin embedding on RNA integrity and recovery after sample preparation, and laser microdissection. Total RNA was obtained from periodontal ligament and fresh-frozen liver; RNA quality was assessed by Bioanalyzer, and 5 ng of total RNA was used for cDNA synthesis followed by gene expression analyses by polymerase chain reaction using 3 sets of primers for glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase. Results:Data analysis demonstrated that all fixed samples presented some level of RNA fragmentation as compared with fresh-frozen samples (P<0.05). Samples fixed with Protocol (10% formalin) showed the least RNA fragmentation as compared with other fixatives (P<0.05), and biologically useful RNA was extracted even from microdissected samples with a minimum RNA Integrity Number of 1.5. Moreover, RNA fragments up to 396 bp were assayable by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction, although short-targeted fragments as 74 bp were more consistently amplified. Conclusions:Although variable levels of RNA fragmentation should be expected, gene expression analysis can be performed from decalcified paraffin-embedded microdissected samples, with the best results obtained for short-targeted fragments around 70 bp.

Growth and the Modeling/Remodeling of the Alveolar Bone of the Rat Incisor

The modeling and remodeling of the rat incisor alveolar bone was followed as the animals grew. The weight of the hemimandible, the length of the socket, and the width of the lower incisor were measured. Osteoclasts and resorption areas were identified by tartrate‐resistant acid phosphatase staining. Fluorochrome markers were used to detect and measure osteogenic activities. In the socket related to the periodontal ligament, osteoclasts appeared in scattered sites as well as isolated sites of osteogenic activity, apparently without any variation related to the age of the animals. At the socket facing the dental follicle of young rats, the inner surface was lined with osteoclasts. The number of osteoclasts decreased steadily as the rats grew. In 1‐year‐old rats, in addition to a few scattered osteoclasts, the internal aspect of the labial wall showed some sites lined with osteoblasts and cement lines indicative of prior bone formation. In young rats, there was a continuous osteogenic activity at the external surface of this wall. The thickness of the labial wall of the socket remained apparently constant; therefore, bone resorption must have occurred at the internal side of the wall. Such osteogenic activity was not observed in old rats. The main forces acting on rat incisors, biting and eruption, are continuous through the life of the animals. Thus, these results indicate that the modeling of the alveolar bone related to the dental follicle, in young rats, can only be associated with another force, specifically, the growth of the incisor. Anat Rec, 291:827‐834, 2008.

Global proteome profiling of dental cementum under experimentally-induced apposition.

UNLABELLED Dental cementum (DC) covers the tooth root and has important functions in tooth attachment and position. DC can be lost to disease, and regeneration is currently unpredictable due to limited understanding of DC formation. This study used a model of experimentally-induced apposition (EIA) in mice to identify proteins associated with new DC formation. Mandibular first molars were induced to super-erupt for 6 and 21days after extracting opposing maxillary molars. Decalcified and formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded mandible sections were prepared for laser capture microdissection. Microdissected protein extracts were analyzed by liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS), and the data submitted to repeated measure ANOVA test (RM-ANOVA, alpha=5%). A total of 519 proteins were identified, with 97 (18.6%) proteins found exclusively in EIA sites and 50 (9.6%) proteins exclusively expressed in control sites. Fifty six (10.7%) proteins were differentially regulated by RM-ANOVA (p<0.05), with 24 regulated by the exclusive effect of EIA (12 proteins) or the interaction between EIA and time (12 proteins), including serpin 1a, procollagen C-endopeptidase enhancer, tenascin X (TNX), and asporin (ASPN). In conclusion, proteomic analysis demonstrated significantly altered protein profile in DC under EIA, providing new insights on DC biology and potential candidates for tissue engineering applications. SIGNIFICANCE Dental cementum (DC) is a mineralized tissue that covers the tooth root surface and has important functions in tooth attachment and position. DC and other periodontal tissues can be lost to disease, and regeneration is currently unpredictable due to lack of understanding of DC formation. This study used a model of experimentally-induced apposition (EIA) in mice to promote new cementum formation, followed by laser capture microdissection (LCM) and liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) proteomic analysis. This approach identified proteins associated with new cementum formation that may be targets for promoting cementum regeneration.

Osteopontin regulates dentin and alveolar bone development and mineralization

The periodontal complex is essential for tooth attachment and function and includes the mineralized tissues, cementum and alveolar bone, separated by the unmineralized periodontal ligament (PDL). To gain insights into factors regulating cementum-PDL and bone-PDL borders and protecting against ectopic calcification within the PDL, we employed a proteomic approach to analyze PDL tissue from progressive ankylosis knock-out (Ank-/-) mice, featuring reduced PPi, rapid cementogenesis, and excessive acellular cementum. Using this approach, we identified the matrix protein osteopontin (Spp1/OPN) as an elevated factor of interest in Ank-/- mouse molar PDL. We studied the role of OPN in dental and periodontal development and function. During tooth development in wild-type (WT) mice, Spp1 mRNA was transiently expressed by cementoblasts and strongly by alveolar bone osteoblasts. Developmental analysis from 14 to 240days postnatal (dpn) indicated normal histological structures in Spp1-/- comparable to WT control mice. Microcomputed tomography (micro-CT) analysis at 30 and 90dpn revealed significantly increased volumes and tissue mineral densities of Spp1-/- mouse dentin and alveolar bone, while pulp and PDL volumes were decreased and tissue densities were increased. However, acellular cementum growth was unaltered in Spp1-/- mice. Quantitative PCR of periodontal-derived mRNA failed to identify potential local compensators influencing cementum in Spp1-/- vs. WT mice at 26dpn. We genetically deleted Spp1 on the Ank-/- mouse background to determine whether increased Spp1/OPN was regulating periodontal tissues when the PDL space is challenged by hypercementosis in Ank-/- mice. Ank-/-; Spp1-/- double deficient mice did not exhibit greater hypercementosis than that in Ank-/- mice. Based on these data, we conclude that OPN has a non-redundant role regulating formation and mineralization of dentin and bone, influences tissue properties of PDL and pulp, but does not control acellular cementum apposition. These findings may inform therapies targeted at controlling soft tissue calcification.