The Regulatory Mechanism of Dietary Pattern in TMJ Condyle Growth

Background: The mechanism of chondrocyte transdifferentiation into bone cells during postnatal condylar growth is unknown. Purpose: To quantify the effects of dietary loading on condylar chondrocyte transdifferentiation. Research Design: Chondrocyte tracing was performed in 21 Aggrecan-Cre;R26Tomato;2.3Col1a1-GFP mice. After tamoxifen injection at 3 weeks, they were randomly divided into three 6-week diet groups: hard, soft, or combination (4 weeks soft, 2 weeks hard) (n=7). Radiographic analysis, cell proliferation, immunostaining, and cell lineage tracing were performed. Results: Soft diet mice exhibited significantly shorter mandibular length, reduced chondrogenic activity, and fewer chondrocyte-derived bone cells in the condylar head and mid-condylar process than hard diet group. The combination mice, however, showed significant improvements, with outcomes similar to the hard diet mice. Conclusions: Dietary loading affects condylar growth by regulating chondrocyte transdifferentiation.

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Science

Level thesis:degree_level

Masters

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Oral Biology

Grantor

Texas A&M University

Year dc:date.issued

2025

Author dc:creator

• Doan, Kelly 1995-

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Jing, Yan

Committee members dc:contributor.committeemember

• Ruest, Louisbruno
• Kesterke, Matthew

• Health Sciences, Dentistry

Language dc:language.iso

English

Handle dc:identifier.uri

https://hdl.handle.net/1969.1/1595508

OAI record oai:identifier

https://oaktrust.library.tamu.edu/server/oai/request?verb=GetRecord&metadataPrefix=dim&identifier=oai%3Aoaktrust.library.tamu.edu%3A1969.1%2F1595508