Macrophages are vital regulators of skeletal remodeling and osseous repair. Beta-tricalcium phosphate ( β -TCP) is a synthetic ceramic biomaterial that has shown promise as bone substitute. However, whether and how β -TCP affects osteogenesis-related responses of macrophages has rarely been studied. The aims of this study were to explore (a) the effects of β -TCP on osteogenic differentiation of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) co-cultured with macrophages and (b) on macrophage polarization as well as macrophage gene and protein expression profiles. BMSC osteogenic differentiation capacity in vitro was enhanced in β -TCP-induced co-cultured BMSCs compared to that in BMSC monocultures. We also found that macrophages induced with 25 mg ml ⁻¹ β -TCP extract had more significant immune responses and switched to the M2 phenotype. Expression levels of the Wnt signaling pathway modulators wingless-type MMTV integration site family, member 6 (WNT6) and Wnt inhibitory factor 1 (WIF1) were upregulated and downregulated, respectively, in macrophages treated with β -TCP extract. Our findings suggest that β -TCP enhances osteogenic differentiation of BMSCs by inducing macrophage polarization and by regulating the Wnt signaling pathway, thereby highlighting its therapeutic potential for bone healing through osteoimmunomodulatory properties.

Our study aimed to examine facial asymmetry in patients with unilateral cleft lip and palates (UCLP) using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) and explore the factors responsible for lower facial asymmetry in these individuals. The experimental group included 21 adolescent patients with non-syndromic UCLP while the control group comprised 14 patients without any facial cleft defects. The maxillofacial regions of the patients in the two groups were scanned using CBCT, and the Mimics 10.01 software was used to analyze the images. Multiple linear stepwise regression analysis was used to explore the factors related to the deviation of the pogonion point (Pog). Comparison of the two groups showed that the position of the lateral point of the pyriform aperture and the length of the mandibular body exhibited significant asymmetry (P < 0.05). Pog in the UCLP group deviated to the cleft side (1.24 ± 2.28 mm), and was related to B6L(R) to Sagittal plane, CdL(R) to Sagittal plane, and U6L(R) to LS plane. We concluded that significant differences between the cleft and non-cleft sides existed only around the cleft, and not in the deeper regions of the maxillary complex. Functional adaption may be the main reason responsible for chin deviation in UCLP individuals. (J Oral Sci 58, 109-115, 2016).

Objective The objective of the study was to examine the sagittal maxillary growth pattern during the mixed and permanent dentition in unilateral cleft lip and palate (UCLP) patients with unrepaired cleft palate. Patients and Methods A total of 30 nonsyndromic UCLP patients with unrepaired cleft palate were included, 15 of whom were in mixed dentition and 15 in permanent dentition. Cephalograms were analyzed and compared in the patients with UCLP who have operatively undergone repair with both the lip and palate as well as normal subjects. Results The UCLP patients with unrepaired cleft palate in mixed dentition showed decreased anterior-posterior length of the maxilla. The UCLP patients with unrepaired cleft palate in permanent dentition demonstrated an almost normal maxillary growth. The operated-on patients both in mixed and permanent dentitions showed maxillary retrusion as well as decreased maxillary length. Conclusions There appears that there may be the potential normal maxillary growth in UCLP patients, and early surgical repair of the cleft palate may affect sagittal maxillary growth pattern in patients with cleft.