Differentiation potential of periodontal Col1+ cells under orthodontic force

Mechanical force often has clear effects on tissue niche remodeling. However, the changes in stem cells and their roles in clinical treatment remain unclear. Orthodontic tooth movement (OTM), the primary approach to treating dental-maxillofacial malformations, involves reconstruction of periodontal tissue. Herein, lineage tracing revealed that Col1⁺ cells are distributed in the periodontal ligament and are sensitive to mechanical forces during OTM. Immunofluorescence analysis confirms that Col1⁺ cells can differentiate into osteoblasts and fibroblasts under orthodontic force. Moreover, Col1⁺ cells may be involved in angiogenesis. These findings suggest that Col1⁺ cells play a crucial role in the mechanical remodeling of periodontal tissue during OTM and may serve as a valuable tool for studying the mechanism of OTM.