Datasheet 4: BBS7–SHH Signaling Activity Regulates Primary Cilia for Periodontal Homeostasis

    December 2021 in “ OPAL (Open@LaTrobe) (La Trobe University) ”
    Pi En Chang (11805284), Shujin Li (313783), Hyun-Yi Kim (173583), Dong-Joon Lee (3975842), Yoon Jeong Choi (2194111), Han-Sung Jung (279002)
    TLDR BBS7 is crucial for maintaining healthy periodontal ligaments by supporting Shh signaling.
    The study investigated the role of BBS7 in maintaining periodontal ligament (PDL) homeostasis under occlusal hypofunction. RNA sequencing on 34 human teeth revealed downregulation of BBS7 expression in hypofunctional PDL. This downregulation was associated with changes in PDL cell number, collagen fiber alignment, blood vessel diameter, primary cilia appearance, and oxytalan fibers. BBS7 was found to be crucial for Sonic hedgehog (Shh) signaling activity, which is important for PDL homeostasis. Additionally, BBS7 knockdown suppressed cell migration and angiogenesis in vitro, suggesting its essential role in maintaining PDL integrity.
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