The periodontal ligament, temperature-sensitive ion channels TRPV1-4, and the mechanosensitive ion channels Piezo1 and 2: A Nobel connection

Teeth are subject to a variety of mechanical forces and vectors. The periodontal ligament (PDL), fibrous tissue that connects the cementum of the tooth to the bony socket, plays a decisive role in transmitting force to alveolar bone via Sharpey fibers, transforming and converting these forces into biological signals. This interaction effects significant osteoblastic and osteoclastic responses via autocrine proliferative and paracrine responses. Recent discoveries of receptors for temperature and touch by the Nobel laureates David Julius and Ardem Patapoutian, respectively have a profound impact on orthodontics. Transient receptor vanilloid channel 1 (TRPV1), initially described as a receptor for temperature, has been proposed to participate in the sensing of force. TRPV4, another ion channel receptor, perceives tensile forces as well as thermal and chemical stimuli. Piezo1 and 2, the classic receptors for touch, in addition to the aforementioned receptors, have similarly been described on PDL-derived cells. In this text, we review the role of the temperature-sensitive ion channels and mechanosensitive ion channels on their biological function and influence in orthodontic treatment.