Figure 7 | Scientific Reports

Figure 7

From: Deficiency of the SMOC2 matricellular protein impairs bone healing and produces age-dependent bone loss

Figure 7

A model for the role of SMOC2 following tooth injury. In the normal (WT) situation (A), SMOC2 is induced 4 days after injury. The presence of SMOC2 reduces Mmp9, regulating over-activation of osteoclasts, and allowing reparative bone remodeling in a controlled effective manner. Smoc2−/− mutants (B) display increased Mmp9 and COX2 expression, promoting osteoclast activation, leading to bone and root destruction during healing. When Smoc2−/− mutants received a post-injury ibuprofen treatment (C), drug anti-inflammatory actions reduce Mmp9 and COX2, a potential explanation for why Smoc2−/− mutants display less bone and root deterioration after treatment. Figure from scanned hand-drawing, labelled using Adobe Photoshop CS6.

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