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Changes in the distribution of tenascin during tooth development
I Thesleff1, E Mackie, S Vainio
1Department of Pedodontics and Orthodontics, University of Helsinki, Finland.
Development (Cambridge, England)
|October 1, 1987
Summary
Tenascin, an extracellular matrix protein, is expressed by dental mesenchymal cells throughout tooth development. Its presence in the dental pulp and basement membrane suggests a role in hard tissue formation.
Area of Science:
- Developmental Biology
- Cell Biology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Tenascin is an extracellular matrix molecule found in embryonic tissues.
- It is known to be enriched in the mesenchyme surrounding developing organs, including teeth.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the spatiotemporal expression of tenascin during tooth development in mice and rats.
- To understand the role of tenascin in dental mesenchymal cell differentiation.
Main Methods:
- Immunohistochemistry was used to localize tenascin.
- Polyclonal antibodies against chick tenascin were employed.
- Studies were conducted on developing mouse and rat teeth.
Main Results:
- Tenascin is expressed by dental mesenchymal cells throughout tooth ontogeny.
- Staining intensity decreased during the rapid growth cap stage and increased during the bell stage.
- Tenascin was detected in the dental basement membrane during odontoblast differentiation but absent in mature dentin.
Conclusions:
- Tenascin expression in dental mesenchymal cells is dynamic during tooth development.
- The dynamic expression pattern suggests tenascin's involvement in regulating dental cell differentiation and tissue formation.
- Its unique expression in dental mesenchyme may relate to the cells' capacity to form hard tissues.