Periostin in dental science

In this mini-review, we focus on periostin, a matricellular protein that is preferentially expressed in cells such as fibroblastic cells in the periodontal ligament (PDL) and osteoblastic cells on the alveolar bone surfaces. Since the abnormal phenotypes of periostin-deficient mice in periodontal tissues have been reported over the last 5 years, we would like to summarize the action of this protein in the PDL, including our unpublished results. Following these results, we hypothesize the function of periostin in the PDL: (1) activation of matrix metalloproteinases for collagen remodeling, and (2) stabilization of the Notch1 protein for anti-apoptotic signaling against stress conditions through the secretion pathway from the inside to outside of the PDL cells. Furthermore, recent observations have demonstrated that periostin functions in fibrillogenesis in association with extracellular matrix molecules. Finally, for clinical applications of periostin, several translational research studies have started in respiratory and cardiovascular medicine. Such research will stimulate the study of dental application of this protein for the treatment of periodontal diseases.