Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 13, 2026
02:42
Analysis of Craniomaxillofacial Malformations in Mice Using Three-dimensional Microcomputed Tomography
Published on: January 17, 2025
Vitamin D receptor deficiency affects dentin maturation in mice
Xueming Zhang1, Firoz G Rahemtulla, Mary J MacDougall
1Department of Prosthodontics, School of Dentistry, University of Alabama at Birmingham, USA. zhangxm@uab.edu
Archives of Oral Biology
|August 21, 2007
Summary
Vitamin D receptor (VDR) deficiency impairs dentin maturation. VDR knockout mice showed thinner dentin walls and defective mineralization, highlighting VDR
Area of Science:
- Oral Biology
- Developmental Biology
- Endocrinology
Background:
- Vitamin D is crucial for calcium homeostasis and has roles in various tissues, including teeth.
- Vitamin D receptors (VDR) mediate the effects of vitamin D.
- VDR mutations can lead to impaired dentin formation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of VDR deficiency on post-natal dentin maturation.
- To compare dentin development in VDR wild-type and knockout mice.
Main Methods:
- Comparison of mandibular incisor dentin in VDR wild-type and knockout mice.
- Immunolocalization of biglycan and decorin.
- Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) for ultrastructural analysis.
- Micro-computerised tomography (micro-CT) for mineral density assessment.
Main Results:
- VDR knockout mice exhibited larger pulp chambers and thinner dentin walls.
- Thickened pre-dentin layer with irregular front line and diffuse matrix protein expression.
- Reduced dentin tubule density, lower mineralization, and pore-like defects in knockout mice.
- Defects were most pronounced in the eruptive region and at the level of the first molar.
Conclusions:
- VDR deficiency significantly compromises dentin maturation.
- VDR plays a critical role in regulating dentin mineralization and structural integrity.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
01:25Role of Vitamins in Maintaining Bone Health
The growth and maintenance of bone are regulated by a combination of nutritional factors, including vitamins, such as vitamin A, B12, C, D, and K.
Vitamin A
Vitamin A is involved in the process of bone remodeling. Retinoic acid, the active metabolite of Vitamin A, has nuclear receptors in osteoblasts and osteoclasts, which are involved in bone remodeling.
Vitamin B12
Vitamin B12 acts as a cofactor during the formation of osteoblast-related proteins, such as osteocalcin. Vitamin B12 plays a role...
Vitamin A
Vitamin A is involved in the process of bone remodeling. Retinoic acid, the active metabolite of Vitamin A, has nuclear receptors in osteoblasts and osteoclasts, which are involved in bone remodeling.
Vitamin B12
Vitamin B12 acts as a cofactor during the formation of osteoblast-related proteins, such as osteocalcin. Vitamin B12 plays a role...
01:23Role of Skin in Vitamin D Synthesis
The skin plays a crucial role in the synthesis of vitamin D, a vital nutrient for various physiological processes in the body. Vitamin D is unique because it can be synthesized in the skin through a series of chemical reactions triggered by exposure to ultraviolet B (UVB) radiation from sunlight.
The solar UV B rays (290-315 nm) are absorbed by the skin, and 7-dehydrocholesterol (provitamin D3) photolyzes it to previtamin D3, which undergoes a rapid transformation to vitamin D3(cholecalciferol).
The solar UV B rays (290-315 nm) are absorbed by the skin, and 7-dehydrocholesterol (provitamin D3) photolyzes it to previtamin D3, which undergoes a rapid transformation to vitamin D3(cholecalciferol).
01:29Bone Disorders
Aging and its effect on bone remodeling is the most common cause of bone disorders. In young and healthy people, bone deposition and resorption happen at an equal rate to maintain optimal bone health.
Bone deposition is also affected by the levels of sex hormones like estrogen and testosterone that promote osteoblast activity and bone matrix synthesis. When the level of these hormones decreases due to aging, it causes a reduction in bone deposition. As a result, bone resorption by osteoclasts...
Bone deposition is also affected by the levels of sex hormones like estrogen and testosterone that promote osteoblast activity and bone matrix synthesis. When the level of these hormones decreases due to aging, it causes a reduction in bone deposition. As a result, bone resorption by osteoclasts...