International Journal of Molecular and Cellular Medicine (IJMCM)

Orthodontic tooth movement (OTM) is a complex biological process involving the precise remodeling of alveolar bone in response to mechanical forces. This remodeling is mediated by the coordinated activities of osteoblasts (responsible for bone formation) and osteoclasts (responsible for bone resorption) within the periodontal ligament (PDL). Mechanical stimuli are transduced into biochemical signals, which regulate cellular behavior through key signaling pathways such as RANKL/RANK/OPG and Wnt/β-catenin.
MicroRNAs (miRNAs), as crucial post-transcriptional regulators of gene expression, play significant roles in skeletal development and bone homeostasis. They influence essential signaling cascades that govern the differentiation, function, and survival of osteoblasts and osteoclasts. Among them, miR-214 and miR-206 have emerged as potent negative regulators of osteoblast differentiation. This review focuses on how their common target, EphrinA2, plays a pivotal role in bone remodeling. EphrinA2 is a membrane-bound ligand critical for osteoclast-osteoblast communication. Upon binding to its receptor EphA2 on osteoblasts, EphrinA2 promotes osteoblast differentiation and bone formation. Dysregulation of the miR-214/miR-206–EphrinA2 axis impairs osteoblast function, disrupts bone remodeling, and can adversely affect the rate and stability of OTM.
In conclusion, elucidating the regulatory functions of miR-214 and miR-206 and their modulation of EphrinA2 provides valuable insights into bone remodeling dynamics during OTM. Targeted manipulation of this pathway holds promise for developing novel molecular therapies that aim to enhance the efficacy, speed, and long-term stability of orthodontic treatments, while also addressing broader skeletal pathologies associated with disrupted bone remodeling