Changes of signal transducer and activator of transcription 1 expression in the anterior cingulate cortex under orthodontic force in rats

Abstract

Objective To study the change of STAT1 expression in the anterior cingulate cortex on rats under orth⁃ odontic force, and to further explore the roles of STAT1 and related JAK⁃STAT1 signaling pathway in the mediation and regulation of pain during tooth movement. Methods 112 male Sprague⁃Dawley (SD) rats (225±25 g) were used in this study. They were randomly divided into experimental groups (96 rats) and control groups (16 rats). All rats were in⁃ stalled bilateral maxillary device for tooth movement models. Rats in the experimental groups were applied 80g orth⁃ odontic force on both sides and were divided into six subgroup 4 h, 12 h, 24 h, 2 d, 3 d, 7 d, with 16 rabbits in each subgroup. The control groups were only installed the same orthodontic devices, without the application of orthodontic force. Brain tissue of the anterior cingulate cortex was isolated after 4 h, 12 h, 24 h, 2 d, 3 d, 7 d since experiment, and the expression level of STAT1 and p⁃STAT1 was analyzed with the method of immunofluorescence and PCR. Results For the immunofluorescence result, there was significant difference in STAT1 expression between control groups and dif⁃ ferent experimental groups at different time points in total (P 0.05). Conclusions After apply⁃ ing orthodontic force, the expression of STAT1 decreased transiently and the expression of p⁃STAT1 increased transient⁃ ly. The reduction of STAT1 was probably caused by the phosphorylation of STAT1 and decrease in the translation level of STAT1, rather than changes in the transcriptional levels. The orthodontic pain might be related with the activation of STAT1 into phosphorylated STAT1.

Keywords

• Orthodontic force
• Pain
• ACC
• STAT1
• pSTAT1