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Updated: May 11, 2026

Accessing the Cytotoxicity and Cell Response to Biomaterials
Published on: July 8, 2021
Caspase-7 participates in differentiation of cells forming dental hard tissues
Eva Matalova1, Herve Lesot, Eva Svandova
1Department of Physiology, University of Veterinary and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Brno, Czech Republic. matalova@iach.cz
Abstract:
Apoptosis during tooth development appears dependent on the apoptotic executioner caspase-3, but not caspase-7. Instead, activated caspase-7 has been found in differentiated odontoblasts and ameloblasts, where it does not correlate with apoptosis. To further investigate these findings, the mouse incisor was used as a model. Analysis of caspase-7-deficient mice revealed a significant thinner layer of hard tissue in the adult incisor. Micro computed tomography scan confirmed this decrease in mineralized tissues. These data strongly suggest that caspase-7 might be directly involved in functional cell differentiation and regulation of the mineralization of dental matrices.
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