Spectroscopic Analysis of the Extracellular Matrix in Naked Mole-Rat Temporomandibular Joints

Naked mole-rats are extremely long-living rodents with a maximum lifespan of 37 years, and their cellular aging and tissue aging are almost nonexistent. Therefore, in this study, we aim to analyze the extracellular matrix of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) of naked mole-rats at the molecular level...

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Main Authors: Tetsuya Adachi, Hayata Imamura, Toyonari Yaji, Kentaro Mochizuki, Wenliang Zhu, Satoru Shindo, Shunichi Shibata, Keiji Adachi, Toshiro Yamamoto, Fumishige Oseko, Osam Mazda, Kyoko Miura, Toshihisa Kawai, Giuseppe Pezzotti
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-05-01
Series:Gels
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2310-2861/11/6/414
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author Tetsuya Adachi
Hayata Imamura
Toyonari Yaji
Kentaro Mochizuki
Wenliang Zhu
Satoru Shindo
Shunichi Shibata
Keiji Adachi
Toshiro Yamamoto
Fumishige Oseko
Osam Mazda
Kyoko Miura
Toshihisa Kawai
Giuseppe Pezzotti
author_facet Tetsuya Adachi
Hayata Imamura
Toyonari Yaji
Kentaro Mochizuki
Wenliang Zhu
Satoru Shindo
Shunichi Shibata
Keiji Adachi
Toshiro Yamamoto
Fumishige Oseko
Osam Mazda
Kyoko Miura
Toshihisa Kawai
Giuseppe Pezzotti
author_sort Tetsuya Adachi
collection DOAJ
description Naked mole-rats are extremely long-living rodents with a maximum lifespan of 37 years, and their cellular aging and tissue aging are almost nonexistent. Therefore, in this study, we aim to analyze the extracellular matrix of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) of naked mole-rats at the molecular level and explore the molecules involved in anti-aging and their localization. Micro-computed tomography (CT) scans revealed increased mineral density and wear of the mandibular condyle in aged mice. Conversely, CT scans did not reveal wear of the mandibular condyle in naked mole-rats, and histological analysis did not reveal wear of the articular disk. Using various spectroscopies and artificial intelligence (AI), we found that the articular disk of naked mole-rats is composed of a cartilage-like layer with hyaluronic acid and collagen fibers with varying orientations, which is thought to have relieved mechanical stress and have protected the mandibular condyle. These results suggest that not only the amount, but also the spatial distribution of the extracellular matrix is important for the anti-aging properties of the TMJ, and may contribute to elucidating the pathology of TMJ disorders and other degenerative conditions and developing therapeutic drugs.
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series Gels
spelling doaj-art-72b48db8eb844e598989657705ee1afd2025-08-20T03:24:38ZengMDPI AGGels2310-28612025-05-0111641410.3390/gels11060414Spectroscopic Analysis of the Extracellular Matrix in Naked Mole-Rat Temporomandibular JointsTetsuya Adachi0Hayata Imamura1Toyonari Yaji2Kentaro Mochizuki3Wenliang Zhu4Satoru Shindo5Shunichi Shibata6Keiji Adachi7Toshiro Yamamoto8Fumishige Oseko9Osam Mazda10Kyoko Miura11Toshihisa Kawai12Giuseppe Pezzotti13Department of Dental Medicine, Graduate School of Medical Science, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kamigyo-ku, Kyoto 602-8566, JapanDepartment of Dental Medicine, Graduate School of Medical Science, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kamigyo-ku, Kyoto 602-8566, JapanSynchrotron Radiation Center, Ritsumeikan University, 1-1-1 Noji-Higashi, Kusatsu, Shiga 525-8577, JapanDepartment of Pathology and Cell Regulation, Graduate School of Medical Science, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kamigyo-ku, Kyoto 602-8566, JapanCeramic Physics Laboratory, Kyoto Institute of Technology, Sakyo-ku, Matsugasaki, Kyoto 606-8585, JapanCollege of Dental Medicine, Nova Southeastern University, 3200 South University Drive, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33328, USADepartment of Anatomy, School of Dentistry, Health Sciences University of Hokkaido, 1757 Kanazawa, Tobetsu-cho, Ishikari-gun, Hokkaido 061-0293, JapanDepartment of Dental Medicine, Graduate School of Medical Science, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kamigyo-ku, Kyoto 602-8566, JapanDepartment of Dental Medicine, Graduate School of Medical Science, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kamigyo-ku, Kyoto 602-8566, JapanDepartment of Dental Medicine, Graduate School of Medical Science, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kamigyo-ku, Kyoto 602-8566, JapanDepartment of Immunology, Graduate School of Medical Science, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kamigyo-ku, 465 Kajii-cho, Kyoto 602-8566, JapanDepartment of Aging and Longevity Research, Faculty of Life Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto 860-8556, JapanCollege of Dental Medicine, Nova Southeastern University, 3200 South University Drive, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33328, USADepartment of Immunology, Graduate School of Medical Science, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kamigyo-ku, 465 Kajii-cho, Kyoto 602-8566, JapanNaked mole-rats are extremely long-living rodents with a maximum lifespan of 37 years, and their cellular aging and tissue aging are almost nonexistent. Therefore, in this study, we aim to analyze the extracellular matrix of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) of naked mole-rats at the molecular level and explore the molecules involved in anti-aging and their localization. Micro-computed tomography (CT) scans revealed increased mineral density and wear of the mandibular condyle in aged mice. Conversely, CT scans did not reveal wear of the mandibular condyle in naked mole-rats, and histological analysis did not reveal wear of the articular disk. Using various spectroscopies and artificial intelligence (AI), we found that the articular disk of naked mole-rats is composed of a cartilage-like layer with hyaluronic acid and collagen fibers with varying orientations, which is thought to have relieved mechanical stress and have protected the mandibular condyle. These results suggest that not only the amount, but also the spatial distribution of the extracellular matrix is important for the anti-aging properties of the TMJ, and may contribute to elucidating the pathology of TMJ disorders and other degenerative conditions and developing therapeutic drugs.https://www.mdpi.com/2310-2861/11/6/414extracellular matrixglycosaminoglycanhyaluronic acidnaked mole-ratanti-aging
spellingShingle Tetsuya Adachi
Hayata Imamura
Toyonari Yaji
Kentaro Mochizuki
Wenliang Zhu
Satoru Shindo
Shunichi Shibata
Keiji Adachi
Toshiro Yamamoto
Fumishige Oseko
Osam Mazda
Kyoko Miura
Toshihisa Kawai
Giuseppe Pezzotti
Spectroscopic Analysis of the Extracellular Matrix in Naked Mole-Rat Temporomandibular Joints
Gels
extracellular matrix
glycosaminoglycan
hyaluronic acid
naked mole-rat
anti-aging
title Spectroscopic Analysis of the Extracellular Matrix in Naked Mole-Rat Temporomandibular Joints
title_full Spectroscopic Analysis of the Extracellular Matrix in Naked Mole-Rat Temporomandibular Joints
title_fullStr Spectroscopic Analysis of the Extracellular Matrix in Naked Mole-Rat Temporomandibular Joints
title_full_unstemmed Spectroscopic Analysis of the Extracellular Matrix in Naked Mole-Rat Temporomandibular Joints
title_short Spectroscopic Analysis of the Extracellular Matrix in Naked Mole-Rat Temporomandibular Joints
title_sort spectroscopic analysis of the extracellular matrix in naked mole rat temporomandibular joints
topic extracellular matrix
glycosaminoglycan
hyaluronic acid
naked mole-rat
anti-aging
url https://www.mdpi.com/2310-2861/11/6/414
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