Wnt5a, produced by mechanically stimulated periodontal ligament cells, modulates differentiation of trigeminal ganglion cells

The periodontal ligaments (PDLs), located between the tooth and alveolar bones, anchor the tooth and absorb the daily chewing force by mastication. In addition, the Ruffini's corpuscles in the PDLs play a pivotal role in pressure sensing to identify various food properties and to adjust occlusal force. Although recent studies have shown that branches of Ruffini's corpuscles are not formed without mechanical stimulation in the rat PDL (rPDL), there is no report to assess the regulatory mechanisms for the peripheral axonal structure by mechanically stimulated PDL cells.