Comparative immunohistochemical analysis of the peptidergic innervation of human primary and permanent tooth pulp

This immunohistochemical study sought to determine whether there are any differences in the peptidergic innervation of these pulps and whether dental caries is associated with changes in neuropeptide expression. Mandibular first permanent molars and second primary molars (n=120) were obtained from children requiring dental extractions under general anaesthesia. Extracted teeth were split longitudinally, placed in fixative, and categorized as intact, moderately carious or grossly carious. The coronal pulps were removed and 10-microm frozen sections were processed for indirect immunofluorescence. Double labelling employed combinations of the following antisera: (1) protein gene product 9.5, a general neuronal marker; (2) one of the neuropeptides calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), substance P (SP), vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP), neuropeptide Y (NPY), galanin (GAL), enkephalin (ENK) and somatostatin (SOM). Image analysis was then used to determine the percentage area of immunostaining for each label within different anatomical regions of the coronal pulp. Sparse or absent immunoreactivity for GAL, ENK and SOM made analysis impossible. Analysis of CGRP, SP and VIP revealed significant interdentition differences, with their expression being significantly greater in permanent teeth, but this was not the case for NPY, with primary and permanent teeth demonstrating a similar amount of label for this peptide. Both dentitions showed significant increases in CGRP, SP, VIP and NPY expression with caries progression. These findings could have biological and clinical importance in connection with nociception, inflammation and healing.     

牙源性角化囊肿中PTCH基因的突变检测

目的检测牙源性角化囊肿（OKC）中PTCH基因突变的发生频率、类型及分布特点，分析散发OKC与伴发痣样基底细胞癌综合征（NBCCS）OKC之间的分子病理联系。方法收集8例OKC新鲜病变组织（4例散发，4例伴发NBCCS），提取DNA，采用PCR直接测序法检测OKC病变组织中的PTCH基因突变。结果分别于4例NBCCS—OKC和2例散发OKC中检测到6处PTCH基因突变，2例为错义突变，引起1个氨基酸的改变；其余4例突变分别为1～7个碱基插入或缺失，其中3例引起读码框的改变（移码突变），并导致蛋白质的提前截断，1例导致了2个氨基酸的插入。结论PTCH基因突变不仅常见于NBCCS—OKC，部分散发OKC病变也可以发生该基因的异常。     

外胚层发育不全无汗综合征患者基因突变的检测

目的：检测外胚层发育不全无汗综合征患者的EDA基因的突变。方法：提取外胚层发育不全无汗综合征患者的基因组DNA，采用PCR方法扩增EDA基因的第5、9外显子，直接将PCR产物送测序。结果：确证该患者是X染色体隐性遗传的外胚层发育不全无汗综合征，患者EDA基因的第5外显子存在突变位点：918位碱基C突变为A，致使226位线氨酸变为终止码，结论：该患者是X染色隐性遗传的外胚层发育不全无汗综合征，其EDA基因5外显子存在突变。     

Effects of transforming growth factor beta1 (TGFbeta-1) and dentin non-collagenous proteins (DNCP) on human embryonic ectomesenchymal cells in a three-dimensional culture system

Cranial neural crest-derived ectomesenchymal cells represent a population of pluripotent stem cells giving rise to many of the various oro-facial and dental tissues. The factors determining the terminal fate of these cells are still unclear. The potentiality of human embryonic ectomesenchymal cells from the first branchial arch have been investigated when isolated and grown in a three-dimensional (3D)-collagen gel culture system in the presence of dentin matrix-derived non-collagenous proteins (DNCP) and TGFbeta-1. Functional differentiation of cells showing some characteristics of odontoblast-like cells could be observed when the cells were cultured with DNCP+TGFbeta-1 or DNCP, however, only cytological differentiation was observed during culture with TGFbeta-1 alone. The characteristics of these cells was assessed by morphological appearance, expression of the odontoblast phenotype marker dentin sialophosphoprotein (DSPP), increased alkaline phosphatase levels and formation of mineralised nodules in vitro. The results indicate that these embryonic cells from the first branchial arch are capable of responding to the inductive stimulus of DNCP or DNCP+TGFbeta-1 when isolated and grown in the 3D collagen gel culture system. The capacity of the isolated cells to differentiate into mineralizing cells showing some characteristics of odontoblast-like cells under these growth conditions highlights the potential of such approaches for tissue engineering strategies for hard-tissue regeneration after injury.     

微小RNA调控靶基因作用机制的研究进展

微小RNA是一类通过转录后调控机制对基因进行调控的非编码的短链RNA。研究发现微小RNA的功能涉及多种生物学过程,与肿瘤的发生、发展和多种疾病密切相关。本文就微小RNA形成过程及对靶基因调控机制的研究进展作一综述。     

Comprehensive gene expression analysis in human periodontal ligaments of the mandibular third molars performing vertical movement and the maxillary second premolars with occlusal contact

OBJECTIVES: The periodontal ligament (PDL) is thought to be an important tissue in vertical movement during tooth eruption, but the precise molecular mechanism is not known. Thereto, comprehensive gene expression was analyzed in human PDL of mandibular third molars performing vertical movement and maxillary second premolars with occlusal contact. DESIGN: The expression profile of 9,243 genes in the PDL of one subject was compared between vertically moving third molars and second premolars with occlusal contact by DNA microarray. RESULTS: The expression of 27 genes showed more than a 10-fold difference between third molars and second premolars. The expression of CALB1 (encoding calbindin 1), CYP26A1 (encoding cytochrome P450, family 26, subfamily A, polypeptide 1), SPOCK3 (encoding testican-3), CCK (encoding cholecystokinin) and SCRG1 (encoding scrapie responsive protein 1) was more than 30-fold higher in PDLs of the third molars than the second premolars. CALB1 is reported to increase at the pressure side of PDL during experimental orthodontic tooth movement in rats. Interestingly, in this study, CALB1 expression showed the largest difference. In contrast, CRCT1 (encoding cysteine-rich C-terminal 1), SPRP3 (encoding small proline-rich protein 3), IL8 (encoding interleukin 8) and MMP12 (encoding matrix metalloproteinase 12) showed more than 100-fold higher expression in PDLs of the second premolars than the third molars. CONCLUSION: The present comprehensive gene expression in PDLs provides new insights into the molecular mechanism during the vertical tooth movement.     

Bacterial community profiles of endodontic abscesses from Brazilian and USA subjects as compared by denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis analysis

This study compared the bacterial community profiles of the microbiota associated with acute apical abscesses from Brazilian and USA patients using denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE). DNA was extracted from purulent exudate aspirates and part of the 16S rRNA gene was amplified by polymerase chain reaction and separated by DGGE. The resulting banding patterns, which were representative of the bacterial community structures in samples from the two locations, were then compared. Distinct DGGE banding patterns were observed from different samples. Ninety-nine bands with distinct positions in the gels were detected, of which 27 were found only in the USA samples and 13 were exclusive to Brazilian samples. Four of the 59 shared bands showed very discrepant findings with regard to prevalence in the two locations. Cluster analysis of DGGE banding profiles showed a great variability in the bacterial populations associated with teeth with abscesses regardless of the geographical location. Two big clusters, one for each location, were observed. Other clusters contained a mixture of samples from the two locations. The results of the present study demonstrated a great variability in the bacterial community profiles among samples. This indicates that the bacterial communities of abscesses are unique for each individual in terms of diversity. The composition of the microbiota in some samples showed a geography-related pattern. Furthermore, several bands were exclusive for each location and others were shared by the two locations and showed great differences in prevalence.     

X连锁无汗性外胚叶发育不全家系ED1基因的突变检测

目的探讨国内X连锁无汗性外胚叶发育不全家系中ED1基因的突变情况，为该病的遗传咨询、产前诊断、确诊携带者提供依据。方法收集2个X连锁无汗性外胚叶发育不全家系及1个散发患者的外周血样本，盐析法提取基因组DNA，采用聚合酶链反应（polymerase chain reaction，PCR）和直接测序对ED1基因进行突变检测。结果家系一患者ED1基因第9外显子发生错义突变（1045G〉A），家系二和散发患者ED1基因第3外显子发生错义突变，分别为467G〉A和466C〉T。结论ED1基因的错义突变可导致X连锁无汗性外胚叶发育不全。这3个突变与国外学者的报道一致。