Formation and regeneration of a Wnt-responsive junctional epithelium

To identify the molecular mechanisms mediating the persistent defensive functions of the self-renewing junctional epithelium (JE).

Two strains of Wnt reporter mice, Axin2^CreErt2/+ ;R26R^mTmG/+ and Axin2^LacZ/+ , were employed, along with three clinically relevant experimental scenarios where the function of the JE is disrupted: after tooth extraction, after a partial gingivectomy, and after a complete circumferential gingivectomy.

Using transgenic Wnt reporter strains of mice, we established the JE is a Wnt-responsive epithelium beginning at the time of its formation and that it maintains this status into adulthood. After tooth extraction, progeny of the initial Wnt-responsive JE population directly contributed to healing and ultimately adopted an oral epithelium (OE) phenotype. In the traditional partial gingivectomy model, the JE completely regenerated and did so via progeny of the original Wnt-responsive population. However, following circumferential gingivectomy, the OE was incapable of re-establishing a functional JE.

A Wnt-responsive niche at the interface between tooth and oral epithelia is required for a functional JE.