Elucidation of the mechanism of collagen fiber synthesis and dissolution by fibroblast using novel multi-imaging

2022 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 20K18469
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Basic Section 57010:Oral biological science-related
• Research Institution: Kurume University
• Principal Investigator: Hirashima Shingo 久留米大学, 医学部, 講師 (70647784)
• Project Period (FY): 2020-04-01 – 2023-03-31
• Keywords: 歯根膜 / 電子顕微鏡 / FIB-SEM / 線維芽細胞 / 超微形態解析 / ３次元解析

Outline of Final Research Achievements

The directionality of fiber formation of collagen fiber bundles in periodontal ligament fibroblasts was examined using CLEM combined with Picrosirius red staining and FIB-SEM. The experimental group was divided into two groups: one with gap junction inhibitor added to the culture medium and the other without, and analyzed using deep learning. The results showed that there was a significant morphological difference in the direction of fiber formation between the experimental and control groups, based on quantitative analysis of 3D reconstructions of serial electron microscopy images of fibers formed in the experimental and control groups. These results suggest that gap junctions between periodontal ligament fibroblasts may be involved in the formation of collagen fiber bundles in the periodontal ligament, especially in determining the directionality of these fibers.

Free Research Field

口腔組織学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

歯根膜線維は局所で一定の方向性を持つ。しかしながら、その決定方法や線維の合成・分解の方法については明らかではない。当研究による結果は、歯根膜におけるコラーゲン線維束形成や方向性決定について、歯根膜線維芽細胞間のギャップ結合が関連している可能性を示しており、今後コラーゲン線維束の形成方法の解明や新規治療法の開発への基盤的知見となり得る。