Single cell RNA sequencing analysis of orthodontic tooth movement in rat periodontal ligament

Mohawk homeobox (Mkx) is a master transcription factor that regulates the maintenance of tendon and ligament homeostasis, and is also known to be specifically expressed in the periodontal ligament (PDL) and contribute to the maintenance of its homeostasis, as well as being involved in orthodontic tooth movement (OTM). However, there are still many unknowns regarding the changes in gene expression dynamics in the PDL during OTM and which cell populations Mkx belongs to and is involved in mechanotransduction in the PDL under continuous mechanical stimulation. Therefore, in this study, we conducted single-cell RNA sequencing on wild-type rat PDL subjected to 0, 1, and 2 weeks of OTM in order to further elucidate the function of Mkx in PDL and to more precisely elucidate the changes in the cell groups that make up PDL under sustained mechanical stimulation.