The role of periostin in mechanotransduction in musculoskeletal and periodontal tissues: A scoping review.

OBJECTIVES

Periostin is a mechanosensitive matricellular protein that is upregulated by mechanical stimulation and plays key roles in remodeling and repair in periodontal tissues, making it a promising target for applications; however, it is not yet used as a therapeutic agent. This scoping review mapped the literature on periostin and summarized the experimental models, cell types, and signaling pathways involved in periostin-mediated mechanotransduction.

DATA SOURCES: MEDLINE via PubMed, Scopus, and ScienceDirect were systematically searched for studies published between 2006 and 2026.

STUDY SELECTION AND

RESULTS

Eligible studies included peer-reviewed original research articles, such as randomized controlled trials, non-randomized studies, observational studies, and laboratory-based experimental studies. After screening, 32 studies met the inclusion criteria. The studies consistently showed that periostin acts as a protective matrix-associated molecule that preserves tissue architecture, reinforces mechanical stability, and supports cellular tolerance to mechanical stress and its absence impaired tissue adaptation and homeostasis under biomechanical loading.

CONCLUSION

Current evidence supports periostin as both a marker of force responsiveness and a functional mediator of tissue adaptation under mechanical force stimulation, highlighting its therapeutic potential in musculoskeletal and periodontal regeneration.

CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Periostin is a promising biomarker of mechanical force responsiveness and a therapeutic target for tissue regeneration. However, establishing standardized clinical assays, diagnostic thresholds, and validated delivery protocols remains necessary before clinical translation.