Validation of the FlexCell®FX-5000 Tension System to Evaluate the Expression of Cementum Protein-1 in Human Periodontal Ligament Cells While Under Cyclical Orthodontic Tensile Force

The pressure-tension theory of orthodontic tooth movement (OTM) states that there are differences in microenvironment between the tension and compressions side within the periodontal ligament, leading to differential gene expression within those zones. Cementum protein 1 (CEMP-1) is a human-specific protein localized to the root of a tooth and may play a role in OTM. The first objective was to develop a protocol to apply tensile force to human PDL cells similar to that within the tension zone during OTM. For this, the FlexCell®FX-5000 Tension system was used and fluorescent microscopy was used to confirm validity of the protocol. The second objective was to evaluate expression of CEMP-1 in human PDL cells under tensile force using RTqPCR. Expression of CEMP-1 appeared to decrease over time regardless of amount of force application or time point. More research is required to further investigate CEMP-1 expression in human PDL cells