A full understanding of the key regulators controlling periodontal development and homeostasis is necessary for the design of improved periodontal regenerative therapies. Small leucinerich proteoglycans (SLRPs) are extracellular matrix molecules suggested to regulate collagen organization and cell signaling. Mice with double-deficiency of 2 SLRPs, fibromodulin and biglycan (dKO), acquire skeletal abnormalities, but their roles in regulating the periodontium remain undefined and were the focus of our studies. Transmission electron microscopy studies showed abnormal collagen fibrils in the periodontal ligament (PDL) and altered remodeling of alveolar bone in dKO mice. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) revealed increased staining of SLRPs (asporin, lumican, and decorin) and dentin matrix protein-1 (DMP1, a mechanosensory/osteocyte marker), while osteoblast markers, bone sialoprotein and osteopontin, remained unchanged. Disruption of homeostasis was further evidenced by increased expression of receptor-activator of nuclear factor-κB ligand (RANKL) and elevated numbers of osteoclasts, especially noted around the alveolar bone of molars (buccal side) and incisors. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) array revealed hyperactive transforming growth factors beta/bone morphogenetic protein (TGFβ/BMP) signaling in dKO PDL tissues, which was further confirmed by elevated expression of phosphorylated Smad5 (p-Smad5) by IHC in dKO PDL. These studies highlight the importance of SLRPs in maintaining periodontal homeostasis through regulation of TGFβ/BMP signaling, matrix turnover, and collagen organization.

The stroke risk factor hypertension may function as a predisposing agent by increasing the vulnerability of blood vessels to thrombosis or hemorrhage. The research here demonstrates that cerebrovascular endothelial cells (EC) from spontaneously hypertensive (SHR) and Wistar-Kyoto normotensive (WKY) rats exhibit similar levels of adhesiveness for syngeneic peripheral blood monocytes (e.g., 22.53 +/- 1.32 and 24.35 +/- 1.16%, respectively). Monocyte adhesion to SHR EC was dramatically increased by treatment of EC with lipopolysaccharide, interferon-gamma, or interleukin-1 beta and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (e.g., 106, 68, and 171%, respectively). Identical treatment of WKY EC also increased adhesion albeit at significantly lower levels than observed on concomitantly tested SHR EC (e.g., 47.8, 12.7, and 60.7%, respectively). Allogeneic combinations of monocytes and EC again demonstrated significantly more upregulation of adhesion by treatment of SHR EC than WKY EC. Characterization of these adhesive interactions revealed the interplay of adhesion pathways, which include lymphocyte functional antigen-1/intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), Mac-1/ICAM-1, and very late activation antigen-4/vascular adhesion molecule-1 as well as other undetermined mechanisms. In summary, these findings indicate hypertension may enhance responsiveness of endothelium to factors that promote monocyte adhesion.

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