Document Type : Review Article
Authors
1
Department of Periodontology, School of Dentistry, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran.
2
Department of Endodontics, School of Dentistry, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran.
3
Department of Orthodontics, School of Dentistry, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
4
Department of Prosthodontics, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.
5
Islamic Azad University Tehran Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Abstract
Orthodontic tooth movement (OTM) is a complex biological process involving the precise
remodeling of alveolar bone in response to mechanical forces. This remodeling is mediated
by the coordinated activities of osteoblasts (responsible for bone formation) and
osteoclasts (responsible for bone resorption) within the periodontal ligament (PDL).
Mechanical stimuli are transduced into biochemical signals, which regulate cellular
behavior through key signaling pathways such as RANKL/RANK/OPG and Wnt/β-
catenin.
MicroRNAs (miRNAs), as crucial post-transcriptional regulators of gene expression, play
significant roles in skeletal development and bone homeostasis. They influence essential
signaling cascades that govern the differentiation, function, and survival of osteoblasts and
osteoclasts. Among them, miR-214 and miR-206 have emerged as potent negative
regulators of osteoblast differentiation. This review focuses on how their common target,
EphrinA2, plays a pivotal role in bone remodeling. EphrinA2 is a membrane-bound ligand
critical for osteoclast-osteoblast communication. Upon binding to its receptor EphA2 on
osteoblasts, EphrinA2 promotes osteoblast differentiation and bone formation.
Dysregulation of the miR-214/miR-206–EphrinA2 axis impairs osteoblast function,
disrupts bone remodeling, and can adversely affect the rate and stability of OTM.
In conclusion, elucidating the regulatory functions of miR-214 and miR-206 and their
modulation of EphrinA2 provides valuable insights into bone remodeling dynamics during
OTM. Targeted manipulation of this pathway holds promise for developing novel
molecular therapies that aim to enhance the efficacy, speed, and long-term stability of
orthodontic treatments, while also addressing broader skeletal pathologies associated with
disrupted bone remodeling.
Keywords