Oestrogen receptor beta mediates decreased occlusal loading induced inhibition of chondrocyte maturation in female mice.

Objective: Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders predominantly afflict women, suggesting that estrogen may play a role in the disease process. Defects in mechanical loading-induced TMJ remodelling are believed to be a major etiological factor in TMJ degenerative disease. Previously, we found that, decreased occlusal loading caused a significant decrease in early chondrocyte maturation markers (Sox9 and Col 2) in female, but not male, C57BL/6 wild type mice (1). The goal of this study was to examine the role of Estrogen Receptor (ER) beta in mediating these effects.

Design: 21-day-old male (n = 24) and female (n = 25) ER beta KO mice were exposed to decreased occlusal loading (soft diet administration and incisor trimming) for 4 weeks. At 49 days of age the mice were sacrificed. Proliferation, gene expression, Col 2 immunohistochemistry and micro-CT analysis were performed on the mandibular condyles.

Results: Decreased occlusal loading triggered similar effects in male and female ER beta KO mice; specifically, significant decreases in Col 10 expression, subchondral total volume, bone volume, and trabecular number.

Conclusion: Decreased occlusal loading induced inhibition of chondrocyte maturation markers (Sox9 and Col 2) did not occur in female ER beta deficient mice.