CA1 Modulates the Osteogenic Differentiation of Dental Follicle Stem Cells by Activating the BMP Signaling Pathway In Vitro.

BACKGROUND: Carbonic anhydrase 1 (CA1) has been found to be involved in osteogenesis and osteoclast in various human diseases, but the molecular mechanisms are not completely understood. In this study, we aim to use siRNA and lentivirus to reduce or increase the expression of CA1 in Dental follicle stem cells (DFSCs), in order to further elucidate the role and mechanism of CA1 in osteogenesis, and provide better osteogenic growth factors and stem cell selection for the application of bone tissue engineering in alveolar bone fracture transplantation. METHODS: The study used RNA interference and lentiviral vectors to manipulate the expression of the CA1 gene in DFSCs during in vitro osteogenic induction. The expression of osteogenic marker genes was evaluated and changes in CA1, alkaline phosphatase (ALP), Runt-related transcription factor 2 (RUNX2), and Bone morphogenetic proteins (BMP2) were measured using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and Western blotting (WB). The osteogenic effect was assessed through Alizarin Red staining. RESULTS: The mRNA and protein expression levels of CA1, ALP, RUNX2, and BMP2 decreased distinctly in the si-CA1 group than other groups (p < 0.05). In the Lentivirus-CA1 (LV-CA1) group, the mRNA and protein expressions of CA1, ALP, RUNX2, and BMP2 were amplified to varying degrees than other groups (p < 0.05). Apart from CA1, BMP2 (43.01%) and ALP (36.69%) showed significant upregulation (p < 0.05). Alizarin red staining indicated that the LV-CA1 group produced more calcified nodules than other groups, with a higher optical density (p < 0.05), and the osteogenic effect was superior. CONCLUSIONS: CA1 can impact osteogenic differentiation via BMP related signaling pathways, positioning itself upstream in osteogenic signaling pathways, and closely linked to osteoblast calcification and ossification processes.

LAMA5: A new pathogenic gene for non-syndromic cleft lip with or without cleft palate.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to investigate the effect of LAMA5 on palatal development in mice. METHODS: The palatine process of C57BL/6 J fetal mice on the embryonic day 13.5 (E13.5) was cultured in vitro via the rotating culture method. The LAMA5-shRNA adenovirus vector was constructed, then transfected into the palatal process of E13.5 for 48 h in vitro. A fluorescence microscope was used to visualize the fusion of palates. The expression of LAMA5 was also detected. The expression of ki67, cyclin D1, caspase 3, E-cadherin, vimentin and SHH signaling pathway-related signaling factors in the blank control group, the negative control group, and the LAMA5 interference group were detected after virus transfection. RESULTS: The bilateral palates in the LAMA5 interference group were not fused after virus transfection. PCR and WB showed that the mRNA and protein expressions of LAMA5 were decreased in the LAMA5 interference group. Furthermore, the mRNA and protein expressions of ki67, cyclin D1 and gli1 were decreased in the LAMA5 interference group, while the mRNA and protein expressions of caspase 3 were increased. However, the mRNA and protein expression of E-cadherin, vimentin, Shh and ptch1 did not significantly change in the LAMA5 interference group. CONCLUSIONS: LAMA5 silencing causes cleft palate by inhibiting the proliferation of mouse palatal cells and promoting apoptosis, which may not be involved in EMT. LAMA5 silencing can also cause cleft palate by interfering with the SHH signaling pathway.

Inhibition of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinases may attenuate scar proliferation after cleft lip surgery in rabbits via Smads signaling pathway.

BACKGROUND: Cleft lip repair surgery always results in visible scarring. It has been proved that scar formation can be reduced by inhibiting the p38 mitogen-activated protein kinases (p38MAPKs) signaling pathway. However, the interaction between p38MAPK and Smads in scar formation is still controversial. METHODS: This study was designed to investigate whether inhibition of p38MAPK reduces postoperative scar formation of cleft lips on rabbits via the Smads signaling pathway. Scar models in rabbits after cleft lip surgery were created and their fibroblasts were extracted. Then the expression of p38MAPK was disturbed by adenovirus in vitro and Vivo. The scar thickness was measured and scar tissues were excised for Sirius red staining and immunohistochemistry to detect the expression of type I collagen (col I), type III collagen (col III), and α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA). The underlying mechanisms of p38MAPK knockdown on the extracellular matrix and Smad signaling pathway were invested in vitro using the EdU assay, Western blot, RT PCR, and immunofluorescence. RESULTS: p38MAPK knockdown suppresses the expression of p-smad3 and p-smad2 in fibroblasts, modulating the expression of its target genes, such as α-SMA, col I, and col III. When Ad-P38MAPK-1 was injected into lip scar, it reduced the expression of scar-related genes and scar thickness when compared to the negative control groups. CONCLUSIONS: In rabbits, inhibiting p38MAPK expression prevents scar proliferation through inhibiting the Smad signaling pathway after cleft lip surgery.

p38MAPK silencing attenuates scar proliferation after cleft palate repair surgery in rats via MRTF-A/SRF pathway.

Scarring is the primary factor of maxilla growth restriction among people who have undergone cleft palate repair surgery. p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38MAPK) promotes fibrosis in a variety of organs. However, its role in post-surgery scarring on the hard palate has not been fully understood. This study is designed to investigate the role of p38MAPK in scar formation and maxilla growth of rats. We removed the mucosa on the hard palate of rats and applied the p38MAPK silencing adenovirus vector on it two weeks after surgery. Then the scarring tissue and maxilla growth were evaluated by histological and morphological examination. The effect of p38MAPK silencing on scarring-related genes in fibroblasts was also studied. We found that local injection of Ad-p38MAPK-1 in vivo effectively reduces the expression of p38MAPK and scarring-related proteins and weakens the impact of scarring on the width of the hard palate. Mechanistically, p38MAPK silencing inhibits the expression of α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) via mediating the production and nuclear localization of myocardin-related transcription factor A (MRTF-A) in fibroblasts. These results reveal a molecular pathway of scar formation involving p38MAPK/MRTF-A stimulation and support targeting p38MAPK as a potentially effective treatment for post-surgery scarring on the hard palate.

Clinical study on obstructive sleep apnea following pharyngeal flap surgery.

OBJECTIVES: This study aims to investigate the incidence and severity of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in cleft patients with velopharyngeal insufficiency (VPI) after pharyngeal flap surgery (PFS) and explore the influence of operation age. METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted in 82 cleft patients after PFS. The patients were divided into two groups according to their age at the time of surgery. The incidence and severity of OSA were assessed at least 1.2 years (mean 6.0 years) postoperatively by polysomnography (PSG). RESULTS: The incidence rates of OSA were 20% in the adult group and 31% in the child group. No significant difference was found between the two groups (P=0.289). Patients with OSA in the adult and child groups were classified into different levels of severity (mild, moderate, severe) according to the apnea hypoventilation index (AHI). No statistically significant difference in the severity of OSA was found between the two groups (P=0.079). CONCLUSIONS: Some patients still have OSA average of 6.0 years after PFS, and operation ageis unrelated to the incidence and severity of OSA.

Virtual Surgical Planning and Three-Dimensional Printing to Aid the Anatomical Reduction of an Old Malunited Fracture of the Mandible.

ABSTRACT: Mandible fracture is a common injury in maxillofacial surgery. It causes not only maxillofacial dysfunction but also facial deformities. Malunited fractures of the mandible have been a vast challenge in clinical treatment due to the misalignment of the broken ends and the occurrence of occlusal disorders. This case report describes using virtual surgical planning and three-dimensional printing to treat a patient with malunited fracture of the mandible. Failing to perform mandibular surgery due to severe brain trauma after the car accident, the patient got malunited healing of mandible. The authors applied virtual surgical planning to perform preoperative analysis and surgical design on this patient, three-dimensional printing to fabricate occlusal plate, and models of the preoperative and postoperative mandible to guide the operation. Finally, the authors achieved the reduction and reconstruction of the mandible with satisfactory clinical results.

Treatment of oral lichen planus by surgical excision and acellular dermal matrix grafting: Eleven case reports and review of literature.

BACKGROUND: Oral lichen planus (OLP) is a chronic inflammatory disorder, and it can affect normal oral function. The conventional treatments for OLP are not always effective, and relapse easily occurs. Therefore, treatment of OLP is difficult and challenging. In this study, we evaluated over a long period the clinical efficacy of surgical excision and acellular dermal matrix (ADM) grafting in patients with refractory OLP. CASE SUMMARY: Eleven patients with refractory OLP underwent a standardized protocol of surgical excision and ADM grafting. The condition of the area of the grafted wound, the intraoperative maximum mouth opening, pain, and clinical healing were assessed at postoperative follow-up visits. All patients had a flat surgical area with similar mucosal tissue coverage and local scar formation. Patients had no irritation and pain in their mucous membranes when eating acidic and spicy food. All patients' mouth openings returned to normal within 2-6 mo after surgery. During follow-up, none of the patients had recurrence of OLP after surgery. The longest follow-up was 11 yr and the shortest was 6 mo, and none of the patients relapsed during follow-up. CONCLUSION: Surgical excision and ADM grafting could be an effective method to treat refractory OLP.

[Preliminary report of botulinum toxin type A injection at trigger point for treatment of trigeminal neuralgia: experiences of 16 cases].

PURPOSE: To investigate the effects of injection of botulium toxin type A at trigger point for treatment of patients with primary trigeminal neuralgia. METHODS: Sixteen patients with primary Trigeminal Neuralgia were treated with injection of botulium toxin type A. Visual analog scores(VAS) at 1 week, 2 weeks, 1 month, 3 months and 6 months after treatment and Barrow Neurological Institute (BNI) pain evaluation criteria were utilized to measure the degree of pain. The data was analyzed with SPSS 10.0 software package. RESULTS: The VAS score was 9.12±0.65 before botulium toxin type A injection while the scores were 2.8±1.36, 2.2±1.26, 1.3±1.45, 1.3±1.45 and 1.2±2.52 at 1 week, 2 weeks, 1 month,3 months and 6 months after treatment. There was significant difference in VAS compared with before treatment. VAS score was lower and stable at 1 month, 3 months and 6 months after treatment, but no significant difference was found at 1-week and 2-week after treatment. BNI evaluation results showed good therapeutic effect 1 week after treatment, while the best therapeutic effect was noted 1-3 months after treatment. 6 months later, 1 patient had recurrence and 11 patients had complete relief of pain. CONCLUSIONS: Botulium toxin type A injection is an effective way for treatment of patients with primary trigeminal neuralgia.

Soft tissue perineurioma of the tongue: report of a case and review of the literature.

Perineurioma is a rare benign tumor of the peripheral nervous system distinct from schwannomas and neurofibromas. It may be intraneural or extraneural (in the soft tissue). Extraneural soft tissue perineuriomas are uncommon; rare cases have been reported in the oral cavity. We present a case of soft tissue perineurioma in the tip of the tongue. The tumor was characterized by slender spindle cells, arranged in short fascicles or whorls, and focal areas showing a distinct storiform pattern. Tumor cells showed the immunohistochemical profile of perineurial cells, including epithelial membrane antigen. Smooth muscle actin, S-100, and CD34 were not expressed by the tumor cells. The tumor was surgically excised and in 2 years there has been no recurrence. Knowledge of the tumor in the oral cavity is important to reach a correct diagnosis and to avoid unnecessary aggressive local excision.

[Establishment of palatal organ culture model of C57BL/6J mouse embryos in vitro].

PURPOSE: To establish palatal organ culture model of C57BL/6J mouse embryos in vitro and provide platform for study of embryo palatal development. METHODS: The mouse palatal shelves were harvested under sterilization from a female mouse of gestation day(GD) 13.5 by stereoscopic microscope and cultured in vitro. Totally 36 pairs of palatal shelves were divided into three groups equally and cultured 6 h, 24 h and 48 h, respectively. Finally, all palatal shelves were embedded and stained by Hematoxylin and Eosin (HE) and subjected to scanning electron microscope (SEM) analysis. RESULTS: The results of HE dyeing showed that the palatal shelves did not fuse on 6 h group, and began to fuse on 24 h group, but still had some medial edge epithelial (MEE) cells remained. The palatal shelves completely fused and all the MEE cells disappeared on 48 h group. The results of SEM showed that there was a gap between palatal shelves on 6 h group. The palatal shelves began to contact and form the medial epithelial seam (MES) on 12 h group. Finally, palatal shelves completely fused and MES disappeared on 48 h group. CONCLUSION: This method provides an effective way for investigating the etiology of cleft palate in vitro.