Abstract
ZIP13, a zinc transporter encoded by Slc39a13, acting on the homeostasis of zinc implicated in the biosynthesis and modification of collagen secretion, and the morphogenesis of connective tissues. This study aimed to determine the morphological changes in periodontal ligament and alveolar bone subjected to mechanical stress such as mastication, considering the functional role of ZIP13 in age-controlled periodontal tissue. Mandibles of wild type (WT) and knock-out (KO) mice were excised 2,4,6,12,20 and 50 weeks the periodontal ligament and alveolar bone surrounding the root of the first molar were subjected to light microscopy, transmission electron microscopy and immunohistochemistry. We found that the periodontium of KO mice exhibited several morphological changes such as connective tissues degenerative changes in during the early stage, suggesting that the lack of ZIP13 caused degenerative changes in homeostasis of collagen during the early stage, which could worsen upon application of mechanical stress. Consequently, ZIP13 was considered as one of the genetic factors in the control of the development and maturation of periodontal tissues.
