Investigating the development of the TMJ

The temporomandibular joint is composed of two bones, the glenoid fossa and the condyle, with a fibrocartilaginous disc embedded between as a cushion for facilitating jaw movement. It is a unique joint that differs from other synovial joints in structure, function, biomechanical properties, development and molecular genetics. The TMJ disorder (TMD) is a prevalent public health problem affecting up to 15% of adults and 7% of adolescents worldwide and is considered the most common cause of nondental-origin chronic pain in the orofacial. It is often concomitant with structural defects and dysregulated gene expression programs in fibrocartilage and bones. The avascular, aneural and alymphatic properties of cartilage determine the poor self-repair capacity of the TMJ. However, the development, homeostasis and pathology conditions of the TMJ remain obscure. Thus, this project is aimed at uncovering the cellular, genetic and biomechanical mechanisms governing the development of the TMJ by the integration of RNA sequencing techniques and functional analyses, with the long-term goal of offering new regenerative strategies and clinical therapeutics.