Effect of TNF-α-Induced Sclerostin on Osteocytes during Orthodontic Tooth Movement

Figure 5

Schematic diagram explaining the role of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) in inducing sclerostin expression in osteocytes on the compression side during orthodontic tooth movement (OTM). TNF-α enhances sclerostin expression in osteocytes; then, sclerostin increases the expression of receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa-B ligand (RANKL) by osteocytes. Hence, we concluded that osteoclast formation was enhanced by TNF-α through increased sclerostin expression in osteocytes on the compression side during OTM.