MicroRNA-Mediated Mechanisms in Temporomandibular Joint Health and Disease

Oral health refers to the well-being of the mouth, including the teeth, gums, and joints, and is essential for orofacial functions such as speaking and chewing. The temporomandibular joint (TMJ), crucial for speaking, chewing, and swallowing, has a unique cartilage structure that supports both movement and growth. While TMJ osteoarthritis (TMJOA) affects 8-16% of the population, it remains significantly under-researched compared to knee osteoarthritis, which impacts 14% of U.S. adults. Treating TMJ diseases is particularly challenging due to the specialized nature of the mandibular condylar cartilage (MCC), a multi-layered structure that combines characteristics of both articular and growth plate cartilage. Understanding how this cartilage is regulated, along with strategies to restore damaged cartilage, is essential for developing effective treatments. This proposal aims to investigate the role of microRNAs, small non-coding RNAs that regulate gene expression, in maintaining TMJ health, specifically focusing on their regulation of fibrocartilage stem/progenitor cells (FCSCs) and the Hippo signaling pathway. These mechanisms are critical not only for the maintenance of healthy cartilage but also for the remoding of damaged cartilage. By exploring these processes, this study aims to fill the gap in TMJ research, offering potential breakthroughs in developing personalized treatment options and restoring cartilage integrity for TMJ disease. Project Number: 1R01DE035223-01A1 | Fiscal Year: 2026 | NIH Institute/Center: National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR) | Principal Investigator: Takamitsu Maruyama | Institution: ADA FORSYTH INSTITUTE, INC., Somerville, MA | Award Amount: $706,281 | Activity Code: R01 | Study Section: Skeletal Biology Structure and Regeneration Study Section[SBSR] View on NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/11367454