Patterning of Molar Tooth Roots in Mammals

Tooth morphogenesis is regulated by reciprocal interactions between the dental epithelium and odontogenic mesenchyme. As tooth roots are fundamental structures of the tooth support system, the morphology and functions of the roots are very important. However, basic information on the morphology of tooth root patterning and the molecular mechanism of root morphogenesis is largely unavailable. Following tooth crown formation, the dental epithelium forms a double-layered Hertwig's epithelial root sheath (HERS) derived from inner and outer enamel epithelium. Previous studies have reported that HERS plays an important role in tooth root development. Here, we report the correlation between the number of major cusps of the tooth crown and number of tooth roots of first molar and last premolar teeth in several extant mammals. We also discuss the molecular mechanism of tooth root patterning by introducing studies of mouse mutants and human syndromes associated with an abnormal molar morphology.     

Apoptosis in murine calvarial bone and suture development

To study the possible role of apoptosis in calvarial bone and suture development, terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated nick-end labeling (TUNEL) was performed on whole mount and sectioned calvariae from mice aged between E14 and P6. We also analyzed by in situ hybridization the expression of Msx2, Bmp4 and Bmp7 genes, which are known to act in conserved signaling pathways leading to apoptosis. We found TUNEL-positive cells from E16 onwards in the calvarial bones, intervening sutures and fontanelles. TUNEL-positive osteoblasts and preosteoblasts were identified at or close to the osteogenic fronts, areas of intense osteogenic activity, with TUNEL-positive mesenchymal cells located in the midsutural mesenchyme. TUNEL-positive osteoclasts and osteocytes were also observed in a sporadic fashion, as well as TUNEL-positive dural cells. Msx2 was expressed in the sutural mesenchyme and the dura mater. Bmp4 was expressed in the developing bone, underlying dura mater, the osteogenic fronts, and also weakly in the sutural mesenchyme. Bmp7 was detected at the same locations as Bmp4 but with noticeably stronger intensity in the meninges and overlying epidermis. We propose that this apoptosis is part of normal suture development, and is integral to the balance between bone formation and resorption, so that abnormal apoptosis may lead to premature (Craniosynostosis) or delayed (Cleidocranial dysplasia) suture closure.     

BMP activity is required for tooth development from the lamina to bud stage

Several Bmp genes are expressed in the developing mouse tooth germ from the initiation to the late-differentiation stages, and play pivotal roles in multiple steps of tooth development. In this study, we investigated the requirement of BMP activity in early tooth development by transgenic overexpression of the extracellular BMP antagonist Noggin. We show that overexpression of Noggin in the dental epithelium at the tooth initiation stage arrests tooth development at the lamina/early-bud stage. This phenotype is coupled with a significantly reduced level of cell proliferation rate and a down-regulation of Cyclin-D1 expression, specifically in the dental epithelium. Despite unaltered expression of genes known to be implicated in early tooth development in the dental mesenchyme and dental epithelium of transgenic embryos, the expression of Pitx2, a molecular marker for the dental epithelium, became down-regulated, suggesting the loss of odontogenic fate in the transgenic dental epithelium. Our results reveal a novel role for BMP signaling in the progression of tooth development from the lamina stage to the bud stage by regulating cell proliferation and by maintaining odontogenic fate of the dental epithelium.     

Inhibition of Wnt signaling by exogenous Mfrzb1 protein affects molar tooth size

Wnt extracellular signaling molecules have essential roles as regulators of cell proliferation, migration, differentiation, and in epithelial-mesenchymal interactions involved in tissue morphogenesis. Frizzled integral membrane proteins have been shown to function as receptors for Wnt signaling molecules. Vertebrates also produce secreted proteins related to Frizzled receptors, Frizzled-related proteins (FRPs), which contain the cysteine-rich domain of Frizzleds and appear to function as Wnt antagonists. Tooth development is regulated by a reciprocal series of epithelial-mesenchymal interactions, and many Wnt signaling pathway genes are expressed in the developing tooth at these sites. Here we report the expression of one FRP gene, Mfrzb1, in the rostral mesenchyme of the mandibular primordium. Using explant cultures, we show that expression of Mfrzb1 in the mandibular mesenchyme is under the control of signals derived from the overlying epithelium. Bead implantation experiments in vitro show that FGF8 induces Mfrzb1 expression, whereas BMP4 and SHH proteins have no effect. We studied the effect of ectopic MFrzb1 protein on the developing tooth germs by transplanting explants treated with Mfrzb1 protein into renal capsules, and found it to retard tooth development. This suggests that Wnt signaling is required early in tooth germ formation and that interference with signaling via addition of an antagonist results in retarded development and formation of smaller teeth.     

Wnt signaling in the murine diastema

The correct number and shape of teeth are critical factors for an aesthetic and functional dentition. Understanding the molecular mechanisms regulating tooth number and shape are therefore important in orthodontics. Mice have only one incisor and three molars in each jaw quadrant that are divided by a tooth-less region, the diastema. Although mice lost teeth in the diastema during evolution, the remnants of the evolutionary lost teeth are observed as transient epithelial buds in the wild-type diastema during early stages of development. Shh and Fgf signaling pathways that are essential for tooth development have been shown to be repressed in the diastema. It remains unclear however how Wnt signaling, that is also required for tooth development, is regulated in the diastema. In this study we found that in the embryonic diastema, Wnt5a expression was observed in mesenchyme, whereas Wnt4 and Wnt10b were expressed in epithelium. The expression of Wnt6 and Wnt11 was found in both tissues. The Wnt co-receptor, Lrp6, was weakly expressed in the diastema overlapping with weak Lrp4 expression, a co-receptor that inhibits Wnt signaling. Secreted Wnt inihibitors Dkk1, Dkk2, and Dkk3 were also expressed in the diastema. Lrp4 mutant mice develop supernumerary teeth in the diastema that is accompanied by upregulation of Wnt signaling and Lrp6 expression. Wnt signaling is thus usually attenuated in the diastema by these secreted and membrane bound Wnt inhibitors.     

Human Diseases Associated with Abnormal Tooth Roots

Tooth development is a complicated process, characterized by reciprocal interactions between the dental epithelia and mesenchyme. During this process, inner and outer enamel epithelia form a doublelayered sheath, Hertwig's epithelial root sheath, after crown formation. A close association has been suggested between this root sheath (epithelia) and root dentin (generated by cells originating from the mesenchyme) ; however, there is limited information on the mechanism of root morphogenesis and elongation. Furthermore, most of the information has been obtained from mice and rats, and not from humans. Many human genetic diseases are associated with abnormal roots. As chromosomal abnormalities, Down syndrome, caused by trisomy 21, is frequently associated with short roots. In Turner syndrome, which is caused by monosomy or the partial absence of the X chromosome, characteristic extra multiroots are seen in the mandibular premolars. In monogenic disorders, oculo-facio-cardio -dental (OFCD) syndrome is associated with extremely long roots. BCOR, encoding the BCL6 interacting corepressor, has been identified as a responsible gene, but the precise mechanism of how this gene mutation results in abnormal roots is unknown. Clinical observations have led to the following two conclusions : 1) Abnormal tooth roots are accompanied by abnormal crowns (size, shape, or structure). This indicates that crown and root formation is a sequential process and the latter is closely related to the former. 2) Multiple root abnormality is seen syndromically but not solely as a dental condition. This implies that regulators of tooth development are likely to be involved in the development of other tissues, such as in the limbs, eyes, and heart.     

Regulation of tooth development by the novel type I TGFbeta family member receptor Alk8.

We have recently identified, in zebrafish, a novel type I receptor of the TGFbeta family, alk8, that participates in Bmp signaling pathways to mediate early dorsoventral patterning of neurectodermal and mesendodermal tissues. Since Bmps play significant roles in tooth specification, initiation, and differentiation, we hypothesized that alk8 may play a role in directing the Bmp-mediated epithelial mesenchymal cell interactions regulating tooth development. Immunohistochemical analysis demonstrates that Alk8 is expressed in developing zebrafish and mouse teeth. Examination of tooth development in zebrafish with disrupted alk8 signaling revealed specific defects in tooth development. Ectopic expression of constitutively active Alk8 results in the formation of elongated tooth structures, while expression of dominant-negative Alk8 results in arrested tooth development at the bud stage. These results are consistent with the established requirements for Bmp signaling in tooth development and demonstrate that Alk8 is a key regulator of tooth development.     

Mouse molar dentin size/shape is dependent on growth hormone status

Growth hormone (GH) status affects dental development, but how GH influences tooth size/shape is unclear. Since GH affects dental epithelial proliferation, we hypothesized that GH influences the tooth crown and root dimensions. Dentin matrix dimensions were measured in longitudinal sections of decalcified first mandibular molars from 3 genetically modified mice: giant (GH-Excess) mice and dwarf (GH-Antagonist and GH-Receptor-Knockout) mice. GH status was found to influence crown width, root length, and dentin thickness. Analysis of these data suggests that GH influences both tooth crown and root development prior to dentinogenesis as well as during appositional growth of dentin. This is concordant with the expression of paracrine GH and GH receptors during tooth bud morphogenesis, and of GH receptors in the enamel organ, dental papilla, and Hertwig's epithelial root sheath during dentinogenesis. Based on prior studies, these GH morphogenetic actions may be mediated by the induction of both bone morphogenetic protein and insulin-like growth factor-1 expression.     

Homeobox protein MSX‐1 inhibits expression of bone morphogenetic protein 2, bone morphogenetic protein 4, and lymphoid enhancer‐binding factor 1 via Wnt/β‐catenin signaling to prevent differentiation of dental mesenchymal cells during the late bell stage

Homeobox protein MSX‐1 (hereafter referred to as MSX‐1) is essential for early tooth‐germ development. Tooth‐germ development is arrested at bud stage in Msx1 knockout mice, which prompted us to study the functions of MSX‐1 beyond this stage. Here, we investigated the roles of MSX‐1 during late bell stage. Mesenchymal cells of the mandibular first molar were isolated from mice at embryonic day (E)17.5 and cultured in vitro. We determined the expression levels of β‐catenin, bone morphogenetic protein 2 (Bmp2), Bmp4, and lymphoid enhancer‐binding factor 1 (Lef1) after knockdown or overexpression of Msx1. Our findings suggest that knockdown of Msx1 promoted expression of Bmp2, Bmp4, and Lef1, resulting in elevated differentiation of odontoblasts, which was rescued by blocking the expression of these genes. In contrast, overexpression of Msx1 decreased the expression of Bmp2, Bmp4, and Lef1, leading to a reduction in odontoblast differentiation. The regulation of Bmp2, Bmp4, and Lef1 by Msx1 was mediated by the Wnt/β‐catenin signaling pathway. Additionally, knockdown of Msx1 impaired cell proliferation and slowed S‐phase progression, while overexpression of Msx1 also impaired cell proliferation and prolonged G1‐phase progression. We therefore conclude that MSX‐1 maintains cell proliferation by regulating transition of cells from G1‐phase to S‐phase and prevents odontoblast differentiation by inhibiting expression of Bmp2, Bmp4, and Lef1 at the late bell stage via the Wnt/β‐catenin signaling pathway.     

Opg, Rank, and Rankl in tooth development: co-ordination of odontogenesis and osteogenesis

Osteoprotegerin (OPG), receptor activator of nuclear factor-kappaB (RANK), and RANK ligand (RANKL) are mediators of various cellular interactions, including bone metabolism. We analyzed expression of these three genes during murine odontogenesis from epithelial thickening to cytodifferentiation stages. Opg showed expression in the thickening and bud epithelium. Expression of Opg and Rank was observed in both the internal and the external enamel epithelium as well as in the dental papilla mesenchyme. Although Rankl expression was not detected in tooth epithelium or mesenchyme, it was expressed in pre-osteogenic mesenchymal cells close to developing tooth germs. All three genes were detected in developing dentary bone at P0. The addition of exogenous OPG to explant cultures of tooth primordia produced a delay in tooth development that resulted in reduced mineralization. We propose that the spatiotemporal expression of these molecules in early tooth and bone primordia cells has a role in co-ordinating bone and tooth development.     

ADAM28在小鼠牙胚发育中的时空表达

目的:研究ADAM28在小鼠牙胚发育中的时空分布。方法:采用免疫组织化学方法和图像分析技术观察ADAM28在小鼠牙胚发育各期的表达分布及差异。结果:ADAM28在牙胚发育各时期均有不同程度的表达。帽状期开始即在口腔上皮及成釉器星网层细胞、基底膜、牙乳头细胞和牙囊细胞表达强阳性,到钟状晚期,成釉细胞、釉基质、上皮根鞘和牙乳头细胞阳性表达;至冠根硬组织发育期,成釉细胞、成牙本质细胞、上皮根鞘、成牙骨质细胞、牙乳头细胞、牙囊细胞阳性表达。结论:ADAM28作为上皮和间充质间重要的信号分子,参与了从蕾状期到钟状晚期、从基质分泌到硬组织形成的牙冠、牙根形态发生过程,它可能在牙源性间充质细胞的早期形成、增殖与分化启动中发挥重要作用。     

Inhibition of human dental pulp stem cell differentiation by Notch signaling

Notch signaling plays a critical role in development and cell fate specification. Notch receptors and ligands have been found to be expressed in dental epithelium or mesenchyme in the developing tooth, suggesting that Notch signaling may regulate odontogenesis. Post-natal human dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs) isolated from the dental pulp have characteristics of mesenchymal stem cells and can differentiate into odontoblasts. In this study, we examined whether Notch signaling regulated the odontoblastic differentiation of DPSCs. We found that over-expression of the Notch ligand, Jagged-1, activated the Notch signaling pathway in DPSCs. Jagged-1 inhibited the odontoblastic differentiation of DPSCs in vitro. Jagged-1-expressing DPSCs could not form mineralized tissues in vivo. Moreover, over-expression of the constitutively activated Notch1 intracellular domain (Notch-ICD) also inhibited odontoblastic differentiation of DPSCs. Taken together, our results demonstrate that Notch signaling can inhibit the odontoblastic differentiation of DPSCs.     

牙颌发育模式及分子机制

牙颌发育模式及分子机制是理解牙颌结构功能的前提，也是再生牙颌组织器官的基础。牙发育分为牙胚发育期、牙冠形成期和牙根形成期。在这一过程中，关键基因具有时间空间的序列性表达。牙源性上皮和间充质相互作用以及釉结等特殊细胞群对牙冠形态精细化、个性化调控，发育成牙。在生物应力、信号调控机制下，牙顺利萌出并发挥功能。牙和颌骨同处发育之中，相互独立又相互依存，相互调控共同发育成为一个有机的整体。牙和颌骨均起源于第一鳃弓，牙或颌骨的发育异常通常会导致彼此的发育缺陷。本文评述牙和颌骨发育的过程，首次阐述稳态微环境在牙发育中的作用以及重点关注颌骨发育中以梅克尔软骨为代表的典型结构和特殊的信号调控机制，提出牙颌一体化发育模式，动态解析牙和颌骨一体化发育过程，并期待未来将这些新模式和机制运用于组织再生。