Xiaoqi Zhang, Lu Xing, Xiaoqian Zhang, Waseem Ai-Gumaei, Qingxuan Wang, Minqi Li, Hu Long, Wenli Lai
{"title":"Time-Series Transcriptomics Identifies Xanthine Dehydrogenase in Injured Neurons Correlated With Orthodontic Pain.","authors":"Xiaoqi Zhang, Lu Xing, Xiaoqian Zhang, Waseem Ai-Gumaei, Qingxuan Wang, Minqi Li, Hu Long, Wenli Lai","doi":"10.1111/ocr.70036","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Orthodontic tooth movement (OTM) pain poses a significant clinical challenge, yet its underlying molecular and cellular mechanisms remain incompletely understood.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>We established a mouse OTM model validated by micro-CT and histology, alongside pain assessments (Mouse Grimace Scale, bite force). Bulk RNA-seq was performed on trigeminal ganglion (TG) tissues, integrated with public single-cell RNA-seq data for a more comprehensive view, and key genes were confirmed via qPCR and immunofluorescence. A user-friendly web platform (OTMPTGTA) was developed to enable researchers to explore differentially expressed genes, gene correlations and gene-set analyses without specialised coding skills.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>OTM induced both significant tooth movement and heightened pain, peaking at Day 3. Transcriptomic analyses pinpointed an Atf3+ population of injured TG neurons that showed marked upregulation of xanthine dehydrogenase (Xdh) during peak pain; by Day 14, both gene expression levels and pain scores subsided. QPCR and immunofluorescence confirmed coexpression of Atf3 and Xdh at Day 3, implicating Xdh in nociceptive signalling. The OTMPTGTA platform facilitates further exploration of these and other potential pain-related pathways, offering novel insights for targeted intervention.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Xdh is highly expressed in Atf3+ injured neurons during OTM pain, likely intensifying nociceptive signals through oxidative and inflammatory pathways. These findings highlight Xdh as a promising therapeutic target for alleviating orthodontic pain while preserving effective tooth movement.</p>","PeriodicalId":19652,"journal":{"name":"Orthodontics & Craniofacial Research","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.7000,"publicationDate":"2025-09-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":"0","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"Orthodontics & Craniofacial Research","FirstCategoryId":"3","ListUrlMain":"https://doi.org/10.1111/ocr.70036","RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"","PubModel":"","JCR":"Q2","JCRName":"DENTISTRY, ORAL SURGERY & MEDICINE","Score":null,"Total":0}
引用次数: 0
Abstract
Background: Orthodontic tooth movement (OTM) pain poses a significant clinical challenge, yet its underlying molecular and cellular mechanisms remain incompletely understood.
Methods: We established a mouse OTM model validated by micro-CT and histology, alongside pain assessments (Mouse Grimace Scale, bite force). Bulk RNA-seq was performed on trigeminal ganglion (TG) tissues, integrated with public single-cell RNA-seq data for a more comprehensive view, and key genes were confirmed via qPCR and immunofluorescence. A user-friendly web platform (OTMPTGTA) was developed to enable researchers to explore differentially expressed genes, gene correlations and gene-set analyses without specialised coding skills.
Results: OTM induced both significant tooth movement and heightened pain, peaking at Day 3. Transcriptomic analyses pinpointed an Atf3+ population of injured TG neurons that showed marked upregulation of xanthine dehydrogenase (Xdh) during peak pain; by Day 14, both gene expression levels and pain scores subsided. QPCR and immunofluorescence confirmed coexpression of Atf3 and Xdh at Day 3, implicating Xdh in nociceptive signalling. The OTMPTGTA platform facilitates further exploration of these and other potential pain-related pathways, offering novel insights for targeted intervention.
Conclusions: Xdh is highly expressed in Atf3+ injured neurons during OTM pain, likely intensifying nociceptive signals through oxidative and inflammatory pathways. These findings highlight Xdh as a promising therapeutic target for alleviating orthodontic pain while preserving effective tooth movement.
期刊介绍：
Orthodontics & Craniofacial Research - Genes, Growth and Development is published to serve its readers as an international forum for the presentation and critical discussion of issues pertinent to the advancement of the specialty of orthodontics and the evidence-based knowledge of craniofacial growth and development. This forum is based on scientifically supported information, but also includes minority and conflicting opinions.
The objective of the journal is to facilitate effective communication between the research community and practicing clinicians. Original papers of high scientific quality that report the findings of clinical trials, clinical epidemiology, and novel therapeutic or diagnostic approaches are appropriate submissions. Similarly, we welcome papers in genetics, developmental biology, syndromology, surgery, speech and hearing, and other biomedical disciplines related to clinical orthodontics and normal and abnormal craniofacial growth and development. In addition to original and basic research, the journal publishes concise reviews, case reports of substantial value, invited essays, letters, and announcements.
The journal is published quarterly. The review of submitted papers will be coordinated by the editor and members of the editorial board. It is policy to review manuscripts within 3 to 4 weeks of receipt and to publish within 3 to 6 months of acceptance.
求助内容：
应助结果提醒方式：
京公网安备 11010802042870号
