Coordination of tooth morphogenesis and neuronal development through tissue interactions: lessons from mouse models

Area of Science:

• Developmental Biology
• Neuroscience
• Oral Biology

Background:

• The tooth is a valuable model for studying organogenesis and is specifically innervated by peripheral nerves.
• Tooth innervation is crucial for function, protection, and regeneration, as observed in fish.
• Understanding the molecular mechanisms of tooth innervation is essential for regenerative medicine and dentistry.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review recent findings on local tissue interactions and molecular signaling regulating mouse mandibular molar tooth sensory innervation.
• To elucidate the stepwise process of dental sensory nerve growth and patterning in relation to tooth morphogenesis.
• To highlight the roles of nerve growth factor and semaphorin 3A in tooth innervation.

Main Methods:

• Review of recent scientific literature on tooth innervation and molecular signaling.
• Analysis of studies focusing on mouse mandibular molar development.
• Integration of findings on tissue interactions between dental epithelium and mesenchyme.

Main Results:

• Dental sensory nerve growth and patterning are tightly coupled with tooth morphogenesis.
• Nerve growth factor and semaphorin 3A are critical and iteratively used signaling molecules in tooth innervation.
• Tissue interactions between dental epithelial and mesenchymal components orchestrate the establishment of tooth innervation.

Conclusions:

• The tooth germ directs its own nerve supply development.
• Conserved signaling pathways, including Transforming growth factor-beta (Tgf-β), Wnt, and Fibroblast growth factor (Fgf), mediate interactions crucial for tooth organogenesis and innervation.
• These signaling pathways integrate tooth development with the establishment of its peripheral nerve supply.