Functional analysis of core binding factor a1 and its relationship with related genes expressed by human periodontal ligament cells exposed to mechanical stress

After mechanical stress loading, CBFA1 mRNA expression was raised initially, followed by an increased expression of ALP and RANKL, decreased expression of OPG, and a change in OPN expression. After CBFA1 knock-down in human PDL cells by small hairpin (sh) RNA, the expression of ALP, OPN, OPG, and RANKL also changed. These findings suggest that in the present model system CBFA1 may play an important role in PDL-mediated bone remodelling in response to mechanical stimulation. Mechanical stress: CBFA1-ALP and OPG-PDL homeostasis may be one of the signal transduction pathways of human PDL cell differentiation under mechanical stress without exclusion of the involvement of other pathways.