Differential gene expression of static and intermittent compressive force treated human periodontal ligament cells

Mechanical force has been shown to regulate periodontal ligament cells (PDLs) behaviors. However, different force types lead to distinct PDLs’ responses. Here, the differential gene expression profiling of PDLs subjected to static and intermittent compressive forces was examined using RNA sequencing technique. Results demonstrated that the static and intermittent compressive force treated PDLs exhibited the differential regulation genes. KEGG pathway enrichment analysis revealed that focal adhesion and transforming growth factor beta signaling pathway were commonly upregulated while calcium signaling pathway was downregulated in both static and intermittent compressive force-treated PDLs. Interestingly, Wnt signaling pathway was upregulated only in the PDLs that subjected to the intermittent compressive force. Human periodontal ligament cells were treated with the computerized controlled compressive force application apparatus. For static compressive force stimuli, cells were loaded with 1.5 g/cm2 of force continuously while cells were loaded with 1.5 g/cm2 with the loading frequency of 0.23 Hz. All loading was performed in serum free condition and the total RNA was collected at 24 h after loading. Differential gene expression was determined using RNA sequencing technique.