Runx2 (Cbfa1) inhibits Shh signaling in the lower but not upper molars of mouse embryos and prevents the budding of putative successional teeth

Dental eruption in afrotherian mammals

Background

Afrotheria comprises a newly recognized clade of mammals with strong molecular evidence for its monophyly. In contrast, morphological data uniting its diverse constituents, including elephants, sea cows, hyraxes, aardvarks, sengis, tenrecs and golden moles, have been difficult to identify. Here, we suggest relatively late eruption of the permanent dentition as a shared characteristic of afrotherian mammals. This characteristic and other features (such as vertebral anomalies and testicondy) recall the phenotype of a human genetic pathology (cleidocranial dysplasia), correlations with which have not been explored previously in the context of character evolution within the recently established phylogeny of living mammalian clades.

Results

Although data on the absolute timing of eruption in sengis, golden moles and tenrecs are still unknown, craniometric comparisons for ontogenetic series of these taxa show that considerable skull growth takes place prior to the complete eruption of the permanent cheek teeth. Specimens showing less than half (sengis, golden moles) or two-thirds (tenrecs, hyraxes) of their permanent cheek teeth reach or exceed the median jaw length of conspecifics with a complete dentition. With few exceptions, afrotherians are closer to median adult jaw length with fewer erupted, permanent cheek teeth than comparable stages of non-afrotherians. Manatees (but not dugongs), elephants and hyraxes with known age data show eruption of permanent teeth late in ontogeny relative to other mammals. While the occurrence of delayed eruption, vertebral anomalies and other potential afrotherian synapomorphies resemble some symptoms of a human genetic pathology, these characteristics do not appear to covary significantly among mammalian clades.

Conclusion

Morphological characteristics shared by such physically disparate animals such as elephants and golden moles are not easy to recognize, but are now known to include late eruption of permanent teeth, in addition to vertebral anomalies, testicondy and other features. Awareness of their possible genetic correlates promises insight into the developmental basis of shared morphological features of afrotherians and other vertebrates.

Impaired skin and hair follicle development in Runx2 deficient mice

The transcription factor, Runx2, is known to play crucial roles in skeletal and tooth morphogenesis. Here we document that Runx2 has a regulatory role in skin and hair follicle development. The expression of Runx2 is restricted to hair follicles and is dynamic, pari passu with follicle development. Follicle maturation is delayed in the absence of Runx2 and overall skin and epidermal thickness of Runx2 null embryos is significantly reduced. The Runx2 null epidermis is hypoplastic, displaying reduced expression of Keratin 14, Keratin 1 and markers of proliferation. The expression pattern of Runx2 in the bulb epithelium of mature hair follicles is asymmetric and strikingly similar to that of Sonic hedgehog. This suggests that Runx2 may be a regulator of hedgehog signaling in skin as it is in bones and teeth. Supporting this possibility, we demonstrate that Sonic hedgehog, Patched1 and Gli1 transcripts are reduced in the skin of Runx2 null embryos. Moreover, we document Patched1 expression in epidermal basal cells and show that the skin of Sonic(+/-) embryos is thinner than that of wild-type littermates. These observations suggest that Runx2 and hedgehog signaling are involved in the well known, but unexplained, coupling of skin thickness to hair follicle development.

Mouse models of tooth abnormalities

Tooth number is abnormal in about 20% of the human population. The most common defect is agenesis of the third molars, followed by loss of the lateral incisors and loss of the second premolars. Tooth loss appears as both a feature of multi-organ syndromes and as a non-syndromic isolated character. Apart from tooth number, abnormalities are also observed in tooth size, shape, and structure. Many of the genes that underlie dental defects have been identified, and several mouse models have been created to allow functional studies to understand, in greater detail, the role of particular genes in tooth development. The ability to manipulate the mouse embryo using explant culture and genome targeting provides a wealth of information that ultimately may pave the way for better diagnostics, treatment or even cures for human dental disorders. This review aims to summarize recent knowledge obtained in mouse models, which can be used to gain a better understanding of the molecular basis of human dental abnormalities.

Unraveling the molecular mechanisms that lead to supernumerary teeth in mice and men: current concepts and novel approaches

Supernumerary teeth are defined as those that are present in excess of the normal complement of human dentition and represent a unique developmental anomaly of patterning and morphogenesis. Despite the wealth of information generated from studies on normal tooth development, the genetic etiology and molecular mechanisms that lead to congenital deviations in tooth number are poorly understood. For developmental biologists, the phenomenon of supernumerary teeth raises interesting questions about the development and fate of the dental lamina. For cell and molecular biologists, the anomaly of supernumerary teeth inspires several questions about the actions and interactions of transcription factors and growth factors that coordinate morphogenesis, cell survival and programmed cell death. For human geneticists, the condition as it presents itself in either syndromic or non-syndromic forms offers an opportunity to discover mutations in known or novel genes. For clinicians faced with treating the dental complications that arise from the presence of supernumerary teeth, knowledge about the basic mechanisms involved is essential. The purpose of this manuscript is to review current knowledge about how supernumerary teeth form, the molecular insights gained through studies on mice that are deficient in certain tooth signaling molecules and the questions that require further research in the field.

Double Transmigration and Hyperdontia

Transmigrated teeth are rare, though reports have increased with the advent of panoramic radiography. Ectopic eruption of canines and other dental anomalies as retained deciduous teeth and supernumerary teeth have a genetic etiology and may be linked. A case report is presented which exhibits transmigration of both a mandibular canine and lateral incisor as well as the presence of a supplemental premolar and retained deciduous molar roots. The possible etiology of these abnormalities is discussed.

Advances in defining regulators of cementum development and periodontal regeneration

Substantial advancements have been made in defining the cells and molecular signals that guide tooth crown morphogenesis and development. As a result, very encouraging progress has been made in regenerating crown tissues by using dental stem cells and recombining epithelial and mesenchymal tissues of specific developmental ages. To date, attempts to regenerate a complete tooth, including the critical periodontal tissues of the tooth root, have not been successful. This may be in part due to a lesser degree of understanding of the events leading to the initiation and development of root and periodontal tissues. Controversies still exist regarding the formation of periodontal tissues, including the origins and contributions of cells, the cues that direct root development, and the potential of these factors to direct regeneration of periodontal tissues when they are lost to disease. In recent years, great strides have been made in beginning to identify and characterize factors contributing to formation of the root and surrounding tissues, that is, cementum, periodontal ligament, and alveolar bone. This review focuses on the most exciting and important developments over the last 5 years toward defining the regulators of tooth root and periodontal tissue development, with special focus on cementogenesis and the potential for applying this knowledge toward developing regenerative therapies. Cells, genes, and proteins regulating root development are reviewed in a question-answer format in order to highlight areas of progress as well as areas of remaining uncertainty that warrant further study.

Runx2 and dental development

The Runx2 gene is a master transcription factor of bone and plays a role in all stages of bone formation. It is essential for the initial commitment of mesenchymal cells to the osteoblastic lineage and also controls the proliferation, differentiation, and maintenance of these cells. Control is complex, with involvement of a multitude of factors, thereby regulating the expression and activity of this gene both temporally and spatially. The use of multiple promoters and alternative splicing of exons further extends its diversity of actions. RUNX2 is also essential for the later stages of tooth formation, is intimately involved in the development of calcified tooth tissue, and exerts an influence on proliferation of the dental lamina. Furthermore, RUNX2 regulates the alveolar remodelling process essential for tooth eruption and may play a role in the maintenance of the periodontal ligament. In this article, the structure of Runx2 is described. The control and function of the gene and its product are discussed, with special reference to developing tooth tissues, in an attempt to elucidate the role of this gene in the development of the teeth and supporting structures.

Adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) is required for normal development of skin and thymus

The tumor suppressor gene Apc (adenomatous polyposis coli) is a member of the Wnt signaling pathway that is involved in development and tumorigenesis. Heterozygous knockout mice for Apc have a tumor predisposition phenotype and homozygosity leads to embryonic lethality. To understand the role of Apc in development we generated a floxed allele. These mice were mated with a strain carrying Cre recombinase under the control of the human Keratin 14 (K14) promoter, which is active in basal cells of epidermis and other stratified epithelia. Mice homozygous for the floxed allele that also carry the K14-cre transgene were viable but had stunted growth and died before weaning. Histological and immunochemical examinations revealed that K14-cre-mediated Apc loss resulted in aberrant growth in many ectodermally derived squamous epithelia, including hair follicles, teeth, and oral and corneal epithelia. In addition, squamous metaplasia was observed in various epithelial-derived tissues, including the thymus. The aberrant growth of hair follicles and other appendages as well as the thymic abnormalities in K14-cre; Apc(CKO/CKO) mice suggest the Apc gene is crucial in embryonic cells to specify epithelial cell fates in organs that require epithelial-mesenchymal interactions for their development.

Different roles of Runx2 during early neural crest-derived bone and tooth development

We compared gene expression profiles between Runx2 null mutant mice and their wildtype littermates. Most Runx2-dependent genes in bones were different from those in teeth, implying that the target genes of Runx2 are tissue-dependent. In vitro experiments determined that Runx2 is a part of the FGF and BMP signaling pathways in tooth and bone development, respectively.

INTRODUCTION

Runx2 (Cbfa1) is expressed in the neural crest-derived mesenchyme of developing bone and tooth. Runx2 homozygous null mice lack bone through a failure in osteoblast differentiation and have arrested tooth development at the late bud stage. The aim of this study was to discover and compare the identities and the roles of Runx2 target genes in bone and tooth development.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Wildtype and Runx2-/- tissue was collected from mouse embryos, and gene expression was compared by Affymetrix microarray analysis and radioactive in situ hybridization of embryonic tissue sections (E12-E14). Induction of target genes by growth factors in bone and tooth tissue was studied using in vitro experiments, including a novel method involving hanging-drop cultures and RT-PCR.

RESULTS

Thirteen bone and four tooth genes were identified that are Runx2-dependent. The identities of these genes do not significantly overlap between bone and tooth, indicating tissue specificity of several genes regulated by Runx2. Genes downregulated in bone development in Runx2 null mutants were Bambi, Bmp4, Bono1, Dkk1, Fgf receptor1, Gli1, Lef1, Patched, Prostaglandin F receptor1, Tcf1, Tgfbeta1, Wnt10a, and Wnt10b. Several of these genes were induced by BMPs in bone tissue in a Runx2-independent manner. Genes downregulated in tooth development were Dkk1, Dusp6, Enpp1, and Igfbp3. These genes were all induced by fibroblast growth factors (FGFs) in dental tissue. FGF-induction of Dkk1 was completely dependent on Runx2 function.

CONCLUSIONS

The contrasting identities and distinctive mechanisms that stimulate the expression of Runx2-dependent genes in bone and tooth development imply that the developmental roles of Runx2 in these separate tissues are different. In tooth development, Dkk1 may be a direct transcriptional target of Runx2. Bone genes were stimulated by BMP4 before the formation of the ossification center, suggesting that BMPs may mediate the early epithelial-mesenchymal interactions involved in bone formation.

Shear stress facilitates tissue-engineered odontogenesis

Numerous studies have demonstrated the effect of shear stress on osteoblasts, but its effect on odontogenic cells has never been reported. In this study, we focused on the effect of shear stress on facilitating tissue-engineered odontogenesis by dissociated single cells. Cells were harvested from the porcine third molar tooth at the early stage of crown formation, and the isolated heterogeneous cells were seeded on a biodegradable polyglycolic acid fiber mesh. Then, cell-polymer constructs with and without exposure to shear stress were evaluated by in vitro and in vivo studies. In in vitro studies, the expression of both epithelial and mesenchymal odontogenic-related mRNAs was significantly enhanced by shear stress for 2 h. At 12 h after exposure to shear stress, the expression of amelogenin, bone sialoprotein and vimentin protein was significantly enhanced compared with that of control. Moreover, after 7 days, alkaline phosphatase activity exhibited a significant increase without any significant effect on cell proliferation in vitro. In vivo, enamel and dentin tissues formed after 15 weeks of in vivo implantation in constructs exposure to in vitro shear stress for 12 h. Such was not the case in controls. We concluded that shear stress facilitates odontogenic cell differentiation in vitro as well as the process of tooth tissue engineering in vivo.

Concomitant developmental dental anomalies in Chinese children with dens evaginatus

AIM

To determine the prevalence of concomitant developmental dental anomalies in a group of Chinese children with dens evaginatus.

METHODS

The dental records and orthopantomograms of 10-15 year old children and adolescents who had been diagnosed with dens evaginatus in a school dental clinic were reviewed retrospectively.

RESULTS

Four hundred and forty-eight of 7102 (6.3%) children were found to have dens evaginatus. Concomitant developmental dental anomalies were found in 77 children (17.2%). The most commonly seen dental anomalies in the study population were hypodontia, hyperdontia, microdontic maxillary lateral incisor, and dental impaction. The prevalence of these anomalies did not differ significantly to that found in the general Chinese population. When analysed separately, however, the prevalence of supernumerary premolars was found to be higher in children with dens evaginatus than in the general population, and the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSION

Supernumerary premolars appeared to be more prevalent in Chinese children with dens evaginatus than in the general population. There may be an association of supernumerary premolars with dens evaginatus in this study population.

The genetic basis of tooth development and dental defects

More than 300 genes have so far been associated with tooth development, mainly in mouse embryos. The majority of them are associated with conserved signaling pathways mediating cellular communication, in particular between epithelial and mesenchymal tissues. Necessary functions of many signals, receptors and transcription factors have been demonstrated in mice, and mutations causing dental defects in humans have been identified in several genes.