Short- and long-term treatment with TNF-α inhibits the induction of osteoblastic differentiation in cyclic tensile-stretched periodontal ligament fibroblasts

Background

Cyclic tensile stretching (CTS) induces osteoblastic differentiation of periodontal ligament fibroblasts (PDLF). On the other hand, increased concentrations of tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) are found in inflammatory conditions, leading to periodontal disease and tooth loss. Accordingly, our aim was to investigate the short- and long-term effect of TNF-α on the response of human PDLF to CTS and its implication on osteoblastic differentiation.

Methods

PDLF were either pre-incubated for 4 hours or were repeatedly exposed to TNF-α for up to 50 days and then subjected to CTS. Gene expression was determined by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. Activation of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) was monitored by western analysis and cell proliferation by bromodeoxyuridine incorporation. Intracellular reactive oxygen species were determined by the 2´, 7´-dichlorofluorescein-diacetate assay and osteoblastic differentiation by Alizarin Red-S staining after an osteo-inductive period of 21 days.

Results

CTS of PDLF induced an immediate upregulation of the c-fos transcription factor and, further downstream the overexpression of alkaline phosphatase and osteopontin, two major osteoblast marker genes. A 4-hour pre-incubation with TNF-α repressed these effects. Similarly, long-term propagation of PDLF along with TNF-α diminished their osteoblastic differentiation capacity and suppressed cells’ CTS-elicited responses. The observed phenomena were not linked with TNF-α-induced premature senescence or oxidative stress. While CTS induced the activation of MAPKs, involved in mechanotransduction, TNF-α treatment provoked a small delay in the phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase and c-Jun N-terminal kinase.

Conclusion

Increased concentrations of TNF-α, such as those recorded in many inflammatory diseases, suppress PDLF’s immediate responses to mechanical forces compromising their osteoblastic differentiation potential, possibly leading to tissue’s impaired homeostasis.

Changes in Roughness and Mechanical Properties of Invisalign® Appliances after One- and Two-Weeks Use

The aim of this study was to estimate the possible changes of surface roughness and the mechanical properties of Invisalign^® appliances over one- and two-week of service. Forty appliances with attachments were retrieved after the end of orthodontic treatment from different patients. Half of them had been used for one week (1W), and the rest for two weeks (2W). Ten unused Invisalign^® appliances were used as the control (CON). An equal number of teeth possessing attachments were cut of aligners deriving from all groups (1W, 2W, and CON), and the Sa, Sq, Sz, Sc, and Sv roughness parameters of the internal surface of the aligner attachment area and the opposite lingual side (which was in contact to enamel) were determined by optical profilometry. Then, ten first molars originating from all groups were embedded in acrylic resin, and were ground and polished. Instrumented indentation testing (IIT) was performed in order to determine the Martens hardness (HM), indentation modulus (E_IT), and relaxation index (R_IT), according to ISO 14577-2002. The produced data were statistically processed by one- or two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and multiple comparison post-hoc tests (a = 0.05). Both the surface roughness and mechanical properties of the retrieved groups (1W and 2W) showed statistically significant differences compared with CON, but without statistically significant differences between each other. The roughness variables of the as-received material were shown to be reduced after intraoral service demonstrating a wear effect. Ageing has a detrimental effect on the surface roughness and mechanical properties of Invisalign^® appliances, although this effect is restricted to the first week of clinical usage.