Defining the role of cementocytes in dental cementum homeostasis during orthodontic movement

• Grant number: 19/09435-6
• Support type: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Doctorate
• Effective date (Start): August 12, 2019
• Effective date (End): August 11, 2020
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Dentistry
• Principal Investigator: Francisco Humberto Nociti Junior
• Grantee: Elis Janaína Lira dos Santos
• Supervisor abroad: Brian Lee Foster
• Home Institution: Faculdade de Odontologia de Piracicaba (FOP). Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP). Piracicaba , SP, Brazil
• Local de pesquisa : Ohio State University, Columbus, United States
• Associated to the scholarship: 18/26341-2 - Defining the role of cementocytes in dental cementum homeostasis during orthodontic movement, BP.DR

Abstract

Cementocytes not only share morphological features with osteocytes, but also express several common biomakers. However, in contrast to osteocytes, there is a lack of evidence on the potential biological properties of cementocytes. Thus, we hypothesized that cementocytes play an important role in dental cementum homeostasis during orthodontic tooth movement (OTM). In order to test our hypothesis, a comparative and systematic proteomic analysis of the dental cementum will be performed using liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS), followed by immunohistochemistry (IHC) to validate LC-MS/MS selected findings in areas whether or not occurred orthodontic tooth movement. In addition, morphological and ultrastructural changes in cementocytes will be assessed by transmission electron microscopy, confocal microscopy in samples labeled with fluorescein isothiocyanate and micro-computed tomography. We anticipate we will be able to define the role of cementocytes in dental cementum homeostasis during OTM and also map potential biomolecules critically involved with dental cementum homeostasis.