Immunolocalization of interleukin-1 alpha in rat mandibular molars and its enhancement after in vivo injection of epidermal growth factor

IL-1α Regulates Osteogenesis and Osteoclastic Activity of Dental Follicle Cells Through JNK and p38 MAPK Pathways

Inflammatory cytokines such as interleukin-1α (IL-1α) are increased in teeth with periapical lesions. Primary teeth with periapical lesions have a propensity for accelerated eruption of the successors. In this study, we asked whether increased levels of IL-1α in the dental follicle (DF) occurring as the result of periapical lesions promote tooth eruption, possibly due to enhanced osteoclastic remodeling of DF cells (DFCs). To this end, we studied the effect and possible mechanism of IL-1α on osteogenic differentiation, osteoclastogenic activity, and matrix remodeling of DFCs. Results demonstrated that DFCs cultured with IL-1α exhibited reduced osteogenic capacity, higher osteoclastogenic activity, and stronger invasive ability. Phosphorylation of JNK and p38 was upregulated, and pretreatment with SB203580 and SP600125 reversed the effect of IL-1α on DFCs. Neonatal rats subjected to subcutaneous injection of an IL-1 receptor antagonist exhibited a reduced number in activated osteoclasts, increased expression of alkaline phosphatase and osteopontin, and delayed tooth eruption. These data support our hypothesis that increased IL-1α cytokine levels as they occur during periodontal and periapical inflammation cause osteoclastic remodeling of the alveolar socket as a requirement for tooth eruption and thus may indirectly promote the vertical eruption of teeth toward the occlusal plane.

Immunoexpression of tumour necrosis factor-α, interleukin-1α and interleukin-10 on odontogenic cysts and tumours

AIM

To analyse the immunoreactivity of IL-1α, TNF-α and IL-10 in odontogenic cysts and tumours and to investigate possible associations with established biological behaviours of these different lesions.

METHODOLOGY

Immunohistochemical expression of anti-IL-1α, anti-TNF-α and anti-IL-10 antibodies was assessed on epithelium and mesenchyme of 20 radicular cysts (RCs), 20 residual cysts (RECs), 20 dentigerous cysts (DCs), 18 solid ameloblastomas (SAs), 20 keratocystic odontogenic tumours (KCOTs) and 15 dental follicles (DFs). Comparative analysis of data was performed using the nonparametric Wilcoxon signed-rank test and Kruskal-Wallis's test.

RESULTS

Significantly greater expression of IL-1α in the epithelium was noted in RC, KCOT and SA (P = 0.01), whilst IL-10 and TNF-α was in the epithelium of RC, DC and KCOT (P < 0.01). In the mesenchyme, significantly greater immunopositivity was observed for IL-1α, IL-10 and TNF-α in KCOT, DC and RC (P < 0.01). In epithelial and mesenchymal tissues, there were a significant number of cases of RC and DC with IL-1α < IL-10 ratio (P < 0.01), whilst SA and KCOT showed IL-1α > IL-10 (P < 0.01). There was a significantly greater percentage of DF, DC and KCOT with TNF-α > IL10 ratio (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSION

These results suggest involvement of the proteins in the pathogenesis of odontogenic cysts and tumours, with emphasis on the highest immunoreactivity of osteolysis stimulating factors in tumours with aggressive biological behaviour, such as SA and KCOT.

Reduced RANKL expression impedes osteoclast activation and tooth eruption in alendronate-treated rats

The creation of the eruption pathway requires the resorption of the occlusal alveolar bone by osteoclasts and signaling events between bone and dental follicle are necessary. The aim of the present study has been to evaluate the effect of alendronate on osteoclastogenesis and the expression of the regulator proteins of osteoclast activation, namely RANK, RANKL and OPG, in the bone that covers the first molar germ. Newborn Wistar rats were treated daily with 2.5 mg/kg alendronate for 4, 8, 14, 21 and 28 days, whereas controls received sterile saline solution. At the time points cited, maxillae were fixed, decalcified and processed for light and electron microscopic analysis. TRAP histochemistry was performed on semi-serial sections and the osteoclasts in the occlusal half of the bony crypt surface were counted. TUNEL analysis was carried out on paraffin sections. The occlusal bone that covers the upper first molar was removed in additional 4- and 8-day-old alendronate-treated and control rats in which the expression of RANK, RANKL and OPG was analyzed by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and Western blotting. TRAP-positive osteoclasts were more numerous in the alendronate group at all time points, despite their unactivated phenotype and the presence of apoptotic cells. RANKL expression in the alendronate specimens was inhibited at all time points, unlike in controls. Our findings indicate that the expression of RANKL in the occlusal portion of the bony crypt is unrelated to osteoclast recruitment and differentiation but is crucial to their activation during the creation of the eruption pathway.

Regulation of SFRP-1 expression in the rat dental follicle

Tooth eruption requires osteoclastogenesis and subsequent bone resorption. Secreted frizzled-related protein-1 (SFRP-1) negatively regulates osteoclastogenesis. Our previous studies indicated that SFRP-1 is expressed in the rat dental follicle (DF), with reduced expression at days 3 and 9 close to the times for the major and minor bursts of osteoclastogenesis, respectively; but it remains unclear as to what molecules contribute to its reduced expression at these critical times. Thus, it was the aim of this study to determine which molecules regulate the expression of SFRP-1 in the DF. To that end, the DF cells were treated with cytokines that are maximally expressed at days 3 or 9, and SFRP-1 expression was determined. Our study indicated that colony-stimulating factor-1 (CSF-1), a molecule maximally expressed in the DF at day 3, down-regulated SFRP-1 expression. As to endothelial monocyte-activating polypeptide II (EMAP-II), a highly expressed molecule in the DF at day 3, it had no effect on the expression of SFRP-1. However, when EMAP-II was knocked down by siRNA, the expression of SFRP-1 was elevated, and this elevated SFRP-1 expression could be reduced by adding recombinant EMAP-II protein. This suggests that EMAP-II maintained a lower level of SFRP-1 in the DF. TNF-α is a molecule maximally expressed at day 9, and this study indicated that it also down-regulated the expression of SFRP-1 in the DF cells. In conclusion, CSF-1 and EMAP-II may contribute to the reduced SFRP-1 expression seen on day 3, while TNF-α may contribute to the reduced SFRP-1 expression at day 9.

MyD88 expression in the rat dental follicle: implications for osteoclastogenesis and tooth eruption

Myeloid differentiation factor 88 (MyD88) is a key adaptor molecule in the interleukin (IL)-1 and IL-18 toll-like receptor signaling pathways. Because MyD88 is present in dental follicle (DF) cells in vitro, the purpose of this study was to determine its chronological expression in vivo, as well as its possible role in osteoclastogenesis and tooth eruption. An oligo DNA microarray was used to determine expression of the Myd88 gene in vivo in the DFs from the first mandibular molars of postnatal rats from days 1 to 11. The results showed that MyD88 was expressed maximally on day 3. Using small interfering RNA (siRNA) to knock down MyD88 expression in the DF cells also reduced the expression of the nuclear factor-kappa B-1 (NFKB1) and monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 (MCP-1) genes. Interleukin-1alpha up-regulated the expression of NFKB1, MCP-1, and receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa B ligand (RANKL), but knockdown of MyD88 nullified this IL-1alpha effect. Conditioned medium from DF cells with MyD88 knocked down had reduced chemotactic activity for mononuclear cells and reduced osteoclastogenesis, as opposed to controls. In conclusion, the maximal expression of MyD88 in the DF of postnatal day 3 rats may contribute to the major burst of osteoclastogenesis needed for eruption by up-regulating MCP-1 and RANKL expression.

Comparison of dentoalveolar morphology in WT and P2X7R KO mice for the development of biomechanical orthodontic models

It has been suggested that the absence of the P2X7 receptor affects long bone morphology, and that one of the cytokines dependent on its activation may also affect tooth morphology. P2X7R KO (knockout) were compared with C57B/6 WT mice (background strain) to identify differences in a maxillary molar and surrounding bone. Nineteen WT and 12 KO mouse maxillae were scanned and 3D-reconstructed using microCT. Tooth dimensions were measured and 3D bone morphometry was conducted. A finite element model was constructed based on the results. No statistically significant differences were found in dentoalveolar characteristics between the two mouse types. A single finite element model of the tooth can be used to mechanically represent both strains. P2X7R does not have a major effect on alveolar bone or tooth morphology. The P2X7R effects are site-specific.

Effect of vascular endothelial growth factor on RANK gene expression in osteoclast precursors and on osteoclastogenesis

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to determine if vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) can upregulate the gene expression of receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa B (RANK) in osteoclast precursors, as does CSF-1. A secondary aim was to determine if VEGF can promote osteoclastogenesis in vitro comparable to CSF-1.

DESIGN

Osteoclast precursors (mononuclear cells) were incubated with different concentrations of VEGF, CSF-1, or a combination of the two, and the gene expression of RANK was determined by RT-PCR. A TRAP assay also was conducted to determine their effect on osteoclastogenesis. An Alamar blue assay was done to analyse the effect of the molecules on proliferation of the osteoclast precursors.

RESULTS

VEGF upregulated RANK expression in osteoclast precursors as effectively as CSF-1. VEGF did not promote osteoclastogenesis, as did CSF-1. A combination of the two did. CSF-1 enhanced proliferation of the osteoclast precursors but VEGF did not. However, VEGF in combination with CSF-1 did increase proliferation.

CONCLUSIONS

At the time of the secondary burst of osteoclastogenesis prior to tooth eruption, VEGF expression in the dental follicle is high but the expression of CSF-1 is low. This study demonstrates that VEGF can fully substitute for CSF-1 to upregulate the RANK expression in osteoclast precursors that is needed for osteoclastogenesis. However, VEGF alone neither can promote osteoclastogenesis nor stimulate proliferation of the osteoclast precursors in vitro. For proliferation and osteoclastogenesis, a low dose of CSF-1 in combination with VEGF is needed.

Strain-dependent behavioral alterations induced by peripheral interleukin-1 challenge in neonatal mice

Interleukin-1 (IL-1) is implicated in the pathogenesis of various psychiatric diseases. Peripheral administration of IL-1alpha to neonatal rats induces cognitive and behavioral abnormalities and, therefore, the IL-1alpha-treated animals might serve as a schizophrenia model. The present study assessed genetic influences on IL-1alpha-triggered behavioral impairments, using four different strains of neonatal mice, C3H/He, DBA/2, C57BL/6, and ddY. Neonatal treatments with IL-1alpha differentially altered adult behavioral/cognitive traits in a strain-dependent manner. IL-1alpha treatment decreased prepulse inhibition in DBA/2 and C57BL/6 mice but not in C3H/He and ddY. The treatment increased locomotor activity and startle responses in DBA/2 mice and, conversely, decreased startle responses in C3H/He mice. Behavioral alterations were most remarkable in DBA/2 mice but undetectable in ddY mice. The magnitudes of IL-1alpha actions differed between the brain and periphery and were influenced by mouse genetic background. The IL-1-triggered acute signaling, Ikappa-B degradation, was significant in the frontal cortex of DBA/2 mice and in the hypothalamus of C3H/He mice. An increase in brain p38 MAP kinase phosphorylation was also most marked in the DBA/2 strain. In contrast, subchronic influences of IL-1alpha injections failed to illustrate the strain-dependent behavioral alterations. The peripheral effects of IL-1alpha did not match the strain-dependency of the behavioral alterations, either. Acceleration of tooth eruption and eyelid opening as well as attenuation of weight gain was most marked in C3H/He mice and the induction of serum amyloid protein was the largest in ddY mice. Thus, the peripheral effects of IL-1alpha in DBA/2 mice were relatively inferior to those in the other strains. The present animal study suggests that, in early postnatal development, circulating IL-1alpha trigger brain cytokine signaling and produce distinct influences on later neurobehavioral traits, both depending on genetic background.

Chronology and regulation of gene expression of RANKL in the rat dental follicle

Tooth eruption in the rat requires bone resorption resulting from a major burst of osteoclastogenesis on postnatal day 3 and a minor burst of osteoclastogenesis on postnatal day 10 in the alveolar bone of the first mandibular molar. The dental follicle regulates the major burst on postnatal day 3 by down-regulating its osteoprotegerin (OPG) gene expression to enable osteoclastogenesis to occur. To determine the role of receptor activator of nuclear factor-kappa B ligand (RANKL) in tooth eruption, its gene expression was measured on postnatal days 1-11 in the dental follicle. The results show that RANKL expression was significantly elevated on postnatal days 9-11 in comparison to low expression levels at earlier time-points. As OPG expression is high at this latter time-point, this increase in RANKL expression would be needed for stimulating the minor burst of osteoclastogenesis. Tumor necrosis factor-alpha enhances RANKL gene expression in vitro and it may be responsible for up-regulating RANKL in vivo. Transforming growth factor-beta1 and interleukin-1alpha also enhance RANKL gene expression in vitro but probably have no effect in vivo because they are maximally expressed early. Bone morphogenetic protein-2 acts to down-regulate RANKL expression in vitro and, in vivo, may promote alveolar bone growth in the basal region of the tooth.

Influence of aging on tooth eruption: experimental canine mandibular allograft

PURPOSE

Aging is clinically related to tooth eruption; however, there are no known studies that have elucidated the relationship. We examined whether tooth eruption would occur normally in a mature subject.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Using vascularized composite tissue mandibular transplantation, we extracted portions of immature mandibles including the tooth germs from young beagle dogs and placed them into unrelated immature and mature beagle dogs. We then examined eruption of the lower first molar in the grafted mandibular bone and compared the results clinically, radiographically, and histologically.

RESULTS

Normal tooth eruption was observed in the transplanted mandibles in the young dogs. In the mature dogs, eruption from the gingiva was delayed, whereas that from alveolar bone occurred normally in the transplanted mandibles. Further, the whole crown was covered with a cap of gingival tissue in the mature dogs, although this cap was not gingival overgrowth.

CONCLUSIONS

Tooth eruption is influenced by some unknown factors related to aging. Apparently, apoptosis did not occur in the connective tissues between the reduced enamel epithelia and oral epithelia that overlay the teeth in the mature subjects.

Reduced growth hormone receptor immunoreactivity in osteoclasts adjacent to the erupting molar in the incisor-absent (osteopetrotic) rat

First molars fail to erupt in the incisor-absent (ia/ia) rat because of a defect in osteoclast function. Growth factors that regulate local bone metabolism include growth hormone (GH), insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I), epidermal growth factor (EGF) and interleukin-1 alpha (IL-1alpha). Since osteoclast function may be affected by these factors, the aim of this study was to determine the distribution of GH receptor (GHr), IGF-I, EGF and IL-1alpha, in osteoclasts located occlusal to the erupting first molar, in the 'eruption pathway', in normal and ia/ia rats. Sagittal sections of the first molar and adjacent bone from 3- and 9-d-old animals were examined. Osteoclasts were identified using tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP). The TRAP-positive osteoclast cell numbers were higher in ia/ia animals at 3 and 9 days-of-age. In the ia/ia group, fewer osteoclasts were GHr- and IGF-I-positive at 3 d of age, and at 9 d of age fewer osteoclasts were GHr-positive. In the ia/ia rat, defective osteoclast function failed to resorb bone to provide an eruption pathway for the lower first molar. The expression of GHr, and to some degree IGF-I, by these osteoclasts was reduced, which may be related to their ability to differentiate and function.

Regulation of gene expression of tumour necrosis factor-alpha by protein kinase C in the rat dental follicle

Tooth eruption requires alveolar bone resorption to form an eruption pathway. Recent studies suggest that tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) may increase bone resorption by promoting the recruitment of mononuclear cells to the dental follicle to form osteoclasts. Although the major osteoclast burst is seen early postnatally in the rat (day 3), the second round of minor osteoclastogenesis is around postnatal day 10. We have previously reported that TNF-alpha is expressed in the dental follicle of newborn rats with maximum expression at day 9. Such expression is enhanced by IL-1alpha in cultured dental follicle cells. In this report, regulation of TNF-alpha expression by protein kinase C (PKC) was studied both in vitro and in vivo. Incubating dental follicle cells with phorbolmyristate acetate (PMA), a PKC activator, significantly up-regulated TNF-alpha gene expression in a dosage-dependent manner. A PKC specific inhibitor, Gö 6983, abolished this PMA effect on up-regulation of TNF-alpha, but had no effect on IL-1alpha induced expression. TNF-alpha expression was significantly greater after treatment with a combination of PMA and IL-1alpha than in treatments with PMA or IL-1alpha alone, suggesting a synergistic effect on enhancing TNF-alpha expression. These gene expression results were confirmed at the protein level by immunostaining for TNF-alpha in the dental follicle cells. In vivo, injection of PMA into postnatal rats also increased TNF-alpha expression. Thus, PKC up-regulates TNF-alpha expression in dental follicle cells, as does IL-1alpha. However, they appear to utilize different pathways to regulate TNF-alpha expression.

Expression of tumour necrosis factor-alpha in the rat dental follicle

Tooth eruption requires the presence of the dental follicle, a loose connective tissue sac that surrounds each unerupted tooth. The follicle appears to regulate many of the cellular and molecular events of eruption, including the formation of osteoclasts needed to resorb alveolar bone to form an eruption pathway. To that end, the expression of the tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) gene was examined in the dental follicle as a possible regulator of osteoclastogenesis. TNF-alpha was expressed slightly in the dental follicle of the first mandibular molar of the rat beginning at day 3 postnatally, but maximal expression was seen at day 9, a time that correlates with a slight burst of osteoclast formation seen at day 10 postnatally. In vitro, TNF-alpha was not expressed constitutively in the follicle cells but incubating them with interleukin 1alpha resulted in a strong expression of TNF-alpha after only 0.5h. TNF-alpha itself enhanced monocyte chemotactic protein 1 (MCP-1) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) gene expression. It also slightly decreased the expression of osteoprotegerin after 3-h incubation but this returned to the control level at 6h. MCP-1 and VEGF could aid in recruiting mononuclear cells (osteoclast precursors) to the dental follicle. In addition to the potential role of TNF-alpha in tooth eruption, this study suggests that the periodontal ligament derived from the dental follicle might have the capacity to synthesize TNF-alpha, and thereby contribute to the destructive events of periodontitis.

Cellular, molecular, and genetic determinants of tooth eruption

Tooth eruption is a complex and tightly regulated process that involves cells of the tooth organ and the surrounding alveolus. Mononuclear cells (osteoclast precursors) must be recruited into the dental follicle prior to the onset of eruption. These cells, in turn, fuse to form osteoclasts that resorb alveolar bone, forming an eruption pathway for the tooth to exit its bony crypt. Some of the molecules possibly involved in the signaling cascades of eruption have been proposed in studies from null mice, osteopetrotic rodents, injections of putative eruption molecules, and cultured dental follicle cells. In particular, recruitment of the mononuclear cells to the follicle may require colony-stimulating factor-one (CSF-1) and/or monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1). Osteoclastogenesis is needed for the bone resorption and may involve inhibition of osteoprotegerin transcription and synthesis in the follicle, as well as enhancement of receptor activator of NF kappa B ligand (RANKL), in the adjacent alveolar bone and/or in the follicle. Paracrine signaling by parathyroid-hormone-related protein and interleukin -1 alpha, produced in the stellate reticulum adjacent to the follicle, may also play a role in regulating eruption. Osteoblasts might also influence the process of eruption, the most important physiologic role likely being at the eruptive site, in the formation of osteoclasts through signaling via the RANKL/OPG pathway. Evidence thus far supports a role for an osteoblast-specific transcription factor, Cbfa1 (Runx2), in molecular events that regulate tooth eruption. Cbfa1 is also expressed at high levels by the dental follicle cells. This review concludes with a discussion of the several human conditions that result in a failure of or delay in tooth eruption.

Implications for tooth eruption of the effect of interleukin-1alpha on nuclear factor-kappaB gene expression in the rat dental follicle

Tooth eruption is a localized event and a cascade of molecular signals generated in the dental follicle and stellate reticulum appears to initiate its onset. Consequently, mononuclear cells are recruited into the follicle and, in turn, fuse to become osteoclasts needed to resorb the alveolar bone to form an eruption pathway. One of the transcription factors involved in the sequence of molecular signalling may be nuclear factor (NF)kappaB. This study shows that NFkappaB is expressed and synthesized by cultured dental follicle cells. Moreover, its transcription, activation and translocation were enhanced by interleukin (IL)-1alpha, a potential eruption molecule. The enhancement of transcription of the NFkappaB gene by IL-1alpha was blocked by a tyrosine-specific kinase inhibitor, suggesting that the enhancement may require the phosphorylation of the NFkappaB complex. In vivo, NFkappaB is maximally expressed in the dental follicle of the rat first mandibular molar at day 3 postnatally, the age at which there is a peak influx of mononuclear cells into the follicle. Thus, a transcription factor apparently required for eruption (NFkappaB) is present in the tissue required for eruption, the dental follicle, and its gene expression is maximal at a critical time in eruption.

Cytokine secretion of periodontal ligament fibroblasts derived from human deciduous teeth: effect of mechanical stress on the secretion of transforming growth factor-beta 1 and macrophage colony stimulating factor

The periodontal ligament may play an important role in tooth eruption, root development and resorption. The tissue physiologically receives mechanical force during mastication. We focused on the effects of intermittent mechanical strain on the cytokine synthesis of periodontal ligament (PDL) fibroblasts in vitro. The cells were derived from human periodontal ligament of deciduous teeth (HPLF-Y) and permanent teeth (HPLF). The two kinds of PDL cells and human gingival fibroblasts (HGF) were cultured in flexible bottomed culture plates. The cells were mechanically stretched at 5% elongation, 3-cycles/min for 24 h on d 7 in culture using a Flexercell strain unit. After the stretching, we measured DNA content and alkaline phosphatase activity in the cell layer, transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-beta 1) and macrophage colony stimulating factor (M-CSF) contents in the conditioned medium. The TGF-beta 1 level in the conditioned medium of HPLF was significantly higher than that of HPLF-Y and HGF. It was stimulated by mechanical stretching only on HPLF, whereas no significant effect was observed on HPLF-Y and HGF. M-CSF secretion was inhibited by the stretching on all of HPLF, HPLF-Y and HGF. 1 alpha, 25 dihydroxy vitamin D3 (D3) stimulated M-CSF secretion into the culture medium of both HPLF and HPLF-Y, but the stretching inhibited M-CSF secretion and completely blocked the enhancement by D3. These data suggest that periodontal ligament cells synthesize and secrete the molecules as autocrine or paracrine factors that affect bone remodelling and root resorption and the level of those factors change in response to mechanical stress.

Tooth eruption molecules enhance MCP-1 gene expression in the dental follicle of the rat

Tooth eruption is a localized developmental event that requires the presence of the dental follicle, a loose connective tissue sac that surrounds each tooth. Early postnatally in the first mandibular molar of the rat there is an influx into the follicle of mononuclear cells (monocytes) which, in turn, fuse to form osteoclasts that resorb the bone to form an eruption pathway. The chemoattractant that may attract the mononuclear cells to the follicle to initiate the cellular events of eruption is monocyte chemotactic protein-one (MCP-1). MCP-1 is secreted by the dental follicle cells and its gene is expressed maximally at an early postnatal age, correlating with the monocyte influx into the follicle. In this study, we show that other potential tooth eruption molecules--EGF, IL-1alpha, TGF-beta1 and CSF-1--all enhance the expression of the MCP-1 gene in the cultured dental follicle cells. In vivo, injections of IL-1alpha or EGF also enhance the gene expression of MCP-1 in the follicle with maximal enhancement occurring in the early postnatal days. Thus, there appears to be a redundant function of the different tooth eruption genes to ensure that the MCP-1 gene is expressed. In turn, expression of MCP-1 may be critical for recruiting the monocytes to the dental follicle to initiate the cellular events of tooth eruption.

In vivo effect of interleukin-1 alpha on colony-stimulating factor-1 gene expression in the dental follicle of the rat molar

Interleukin-1 alpha (IL-1 alpha) acts in vitro to enhance the gene expression of colony-stimulating factor-1 (CSF-1) of dental follicle cells. Because the dental follicle is required for tooth eruption and because CSF-1 appears to be a key molecule in initiating eruption, it was the aim of this study to determine if IL-1 alpha could enhance the expression of the CSF-1 gene in the dental follicle in vivo. To determine this, rats were injected with IL-1 alpha at different ages postnatally and the total RNA was isolated from the dental follicles of the first mandibular molars. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction showed that IL-1 alpha enhanced the expression of CSF-1 in the follicle. Thus, IL-1 alpha may play a part in the cascade of molecular signals that initiate eruption by its effect upon the CSF-1 gene.

Immunostaining and transcriptional enhancement of interleukin-1 receptor type I in the rat dental follicle

Interleukin-1alpha (IL-1alpha) enhances the gene expression of colony-stimulating factor-one (CSF-1) in dental follicle cells. In turn, CSF-1 appears to be a critical molecule in stimulating the cellular events of eruption that require the presence of the follicle. Chronologically, the maximal transcription and translation of CSF-1 in the follicle occurs early postnatally, followed by a decline later. Thus, in this study, immunostaining for the interleukin-1 receptor type I (IL-1RI) was used to determine if it paralleled the CSF-1 localization and chronology. The results showed that IL-1RI is primarily localized in the dental follicle, with maximal immunostaining early postnatally and a greatly reduced staining by day 10. In conjunction with this, molecules that enhance the gene expression of IL-1alpha epidermal growth factor (EGF) and transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-beta1) were also shown to enhance the expression of IL-1RI, but IL-1alpha did not increase the gene expression of IL-1RI. After injections of EGF at different times postnatally the mRNA of IL-1RI increased over comparable controls. Between days 2 and 5 the IL-1RI mRNA in the follicle decreased. In combination the results suggest that, as the expression of IL-1alpha is enhanced in the stellate reticulum either by EGF or TGF-beta1, these two molecules could also enhance the expression of IL-1RI in the dental follicle such that more receptors would be available to respond to the increased IL-1alpha secreted. The maximal presence of the receptors (IL-1RI) in the dental follicle early postnatally, followed by their subsequent decline, parallels the rise and fall of CSF-1 in the follicle. Thus, regulation of the IL-1RI and IL-1RI gene expression might be a means of regulating changes in CSF-1 in the follicle.

The rhythms of human premolar eruption: a study using continuous observation

New optical technology now allows for precise observation of erupting human premolars. Continuous overnight tracking of an erupting tooth with a video microscope system shows that eruption occurs almost exclusively during the early evening. During the day, slight intrusion is likely to occur. When Moiré magnification is used to provide extremely high resolution (0.05 micrometer), slight movements of the erupting tooth in concert with the arterial pulse can be observed, and a previously unknown cyclic movement with a period of 20 to 50 seconds is seen consistently. Rhythms in skeletal growth and tooth eruption suggest that treatment to influence jaw growth and move teeth may be most effective at specific times of the day.

Continuous overnight observation of human premolar eruption

Such observation was made possible by transmitting the image of a mobile ceramic ruling on the erupting maxillary second premolar to a video-microscope via a coaxial fibreoptic cable. The cable was inserted into a reference bar secured to the adjacent first molar and first premolar. The image of the ruling was superimposed with the image from a surveillance camera focused on the patient and continuously recorded on video-tape along with the participant's blood pressure, pulse rate, electromyographic activity and occlusal contact sounds. Overnight data from 12 individuals clearly revealed a circadian rhythm in eruption during the prefunctional spurt. On average, the maxillary second premolar erupted 41 microns during an 11-h overnight observation, with almost all the eruption occurring in the late evening from 8 p.m. to 1 a.m. After 1 a.m., eruption typically ceased, with a tendency for intrusion to occur until 7 a.m. Sleep increased the rate of eruption during the late evening, but did not influence the eruption rate during the early morning. Haemodynamic changes, including blood pressure and pulse rate, did not have a significant impact on the rhythm of eruption. The observed eruption rhythm is most probably caused by changing hormone levels and their effect on the periodontal ligament. The late-evening eruption of human premolars coincides with the late-evening secretion of growth hormone and thyroid hormone typically found in humans.

In vivo and in vitro effects of epidermal growth factor on its receptor gene expression in rat dental follicle cells

Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is known to be localized early postnatally in the follicle of rat mandibular molars and to decline later. Here, EGFR mRNA present early postnatally in the follicle was revealed by in situ hybridization and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. Injections of epidermal growth factor (EGF) enhanced the expression of EGFR mRNA but not EGF mRNA through day 5 postnatally in the follicle. By day 7 postnatally, the amount of EGFR mRNA was dramatically reduced and EGF injection at that time or later did not enhance its expression. Cultured dental follicle cells were also shown to contain both EGFR mRNA and EGF mRNA, but only EGFR mRNA expression was enhanced after incubation of the cells with EGF. The EGFR mRNA was apparently translated, because the cultured cells could be immunostained for EGFR. This enhancement of EGFR mRNA in the dental follicle cells by EGF may be a necessary prelude to the mitogenic effect of EGF on the cultured cells because incubating the dental follicle cells in EGF over 6 days resulted in almost a doubling in their number as compared to controls. These results indicate that the tissue necessary for eruption to occur, the dental follicle, contains EGFR mRNA in the early postnatal days. In turn, this mRNA is enhanced by EGF, a molecule known to accelerate eruption if injected early postnatally. Whether or not the mitogenic effect of the EGF on the cultured dental follicle cells is a mechanistic factor that contributes to the subsequent tooth eruption is unknown.

Transcription and translation of CSF-1 in the dental follicle

The dental follicle, a loose connective tissue sac which surrounds the unerupted tooth, is required for eruption to occur. Injection of colony-stimulating factor-1 (CSF-1) will accelerate molar eruption in rats, as well as stimulate tooth eruption in osteopetrotic rats. Utilizing in situ hybridization and reverse- transcription polymerase chain-reaction techniques, we show here that CSF-1 mRNA is present in vivo in the dental follicle of the first mandibular molar of the rat. Analysis of the molars from day 0 through day 10 post-natally demonstrates that the maximal expression of CSF-1 mRNA is at day 3 post-natally. Immunostaining also reveals that the CSF-1 mRNA is translated, with immunostaining for the CSF-1 itself, being heavy in early post-natal days and absent by day 9 postnatally. In view of the fact that there is a maximal influx of mononuclear cells (monocytes) into the dental follicle at day 3 post-natally--an influx which increases the numbers of osteoclasts needed to form a tooth eruption pathway--it is probable that the maximal expression of CSF-1 mRNA by day 3 post-natally contributes to this monocyte influx. Thus, this study establishes a relationship among a molecule (CSF-1), cell (monocyte), and tissue (dental follicle) that appear to play a major role in tooth eruption.