Open Accessβ-catenin Initiates Tooth Neogenesis in Adult Rodent Incisors
Author(s) -
Fei Liu,
Smit Dangaria,
Thomas Andl,
Yuhang Zhang,
Alexander C. Wright,
Monika Damek-Poprawa,
Stefano Piccolo,
András Nagy,
Makoto Mark Taketo,
Thomas G.H. Diekwisch,
Sunday O. Akintoye,
Sarah E. Millar
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
journal of dental research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1544-0591
pISSN - 0022-0345
DOI - 10.1177/0022034510370090
Subject(s) - neogenesis , incisor , embryonic stem cell , beta catenin , microbiology and biotechnology , morphogenesis , biology , catenin , tooth eruption , ameloblast , signal transduction , dentistry , wnt signaling pathway , medicine , endocrinology , enamel paint , gene , genetics , islet , insulin , molar
beta-Catenin signaling is required for embryonic tooth morphogenesis and promotes continuous tooth development when activated in embryos. To determine whether activation of this pathway in the adult oral cavity could promote tooth development, we induced mutation of epithelial beta-catenin to a stabilized form in adult mice. This caused increased proliferation of the incisor tooth cervical loop, outpouching of incisor epithelium, abnormal morphology of the epithelial-mesenchymal junction, and enhanced expression of genes associated with embryonic tooth development. Ectopic dental-like structures were formed from the incisor region following implantation into immunodeficient mice. Thus, forced activation of beta-catenin signaling can initiate an embryonic-like program of tooth development in adult rodent incisor teeth.