Summer Ann
Pronouns: She/her
Research Mentor(s): Yuji Mishina
Co-Presenter:
Research Mentor School/College/Department: Biological and Material Sciences / Dentistry
Presentation Date: April 20
Presentation Type: Poster
Session: Session 4 – 2:40pm – 3:30 pm
Room: League Ballroom
Authors: Honghao Zhang, Yuji Mishina
Presenter: 36
Abstract
Temporomandibular joint disorders (TMD) are a set of disorders including painful conditions in temporomandibular joints (TMJ), muscles of mastication, and surrounding tissues. Since the etiology and pathophysiology of this disorder are elusive, it is crucial to testify if abnormal TMJ shape is a potential reason leading to muscle pain in TMD. To dissect the relation between TMJ shape, abnormal jaw movement, and pain, we generate Evc2 mutant mice. EVC2 protein is thought to help regulate a signaling pathway known as Hedgehog, which plays roles in cell growth, cell differentiation, and the normal shaping (patterning) of many parts of the body. EVC 2 mutant mice show symptoms that TMD patients would show, such as muscle pain, decreased displacement, decreased biting force, and difficulty when opening their mouth along with abnormally shaped TMJ. To assess the jaw movement and digitalize locations and movements, we used a detection method called X-ray reconstruction of moving morphology, XROMM, and data were analyzed by a program called XMA Lab. XROMM is a functional tool for tracking small metal markers surgically implanted to the temporal (the sides of the skull) and mandible (lower jaw) by naming them ’top’ and ‘bottom’ respectively. We measured the bottom distance to evaluate levels of openness of the mouth, frequency of chew, and consistency of chewing cycles, which are indications of symptoms of TMJD. We compare the jaw movement of the EVC mutant mice with control mice to discern the behavioral differences between them. My works will involve analysis of XROMM data and other data to implicate the relations between TMJ shape, jaw movement, and pain.
Biomedical Sciences, Interdisciplinary, Natural/Life Sciences
