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Updated: Oct 3, 2025
04:07
Isolation of Epithelial Cells from Human Dental Follicle
Published on: November 5, 2021
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Partial epithelial-mesenchymal transition during enamel development.
Fayrouz Bazina1,2, Sabine M Brouxhon3, Stephanos Kyrkanides4
1Program in Oral Biology and Pathology, School of Dental Medicine, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York, USA.
Clinical and Experimental Dental Research
|February 19, 2022
Summary
A hybrid epithelial/mesenchymal phenotype emerges during mouse molar enamel development. This stage involves stem cell factors Oct4 and Sox2, preceding mature ameloblast formation.
Area of Science:
- Developmental Biology
- Cell Biology
- Oral Biology
Background:
- Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is crucial in development.
- Understanding stem cell behavior in tooth development is vital.
Purpose of the Study:
- Investigate the presence of a hybrid stem-like epithelial-mesenchymal transition (p-EMT) phenotype in murine molar enamel development.
- Analyze the expression of key markers during this process.
Main Methods:
- Utilized double immunofluorescence staining on mouse molar tooth bud histology specimens (post-natal day 4).
- Examined co-expression of epithelial (E-cadherin) and mesenchymal (N-cadherin) markers.
- Assessed expression of stem cell markers (Oct4, Sox2) and ameloblast marker (amelogenin).
Main Results:
- Co-expression of E-cadherin and N-cadherin observed in pre-ameloblasts, indicating a hybrid epithelial/mesenchymal phenotype.
- Stem cell factors Oct4 and Sox2 colocalized with E-cadherin in pre-ameloblasts.
- N-cadherin was specifically expressed by mature amelogenin-positive secretory ameloblasts.
Conclusions:
- Murine molar enamel development involves a novel epithelial/mesenchymal stage derived from p-EMT.
- This stage is characterized by the co-expression of E-cadherin, N-cadherin, Oct4, and Sox2.
- Pre-ameloblast differentiation involves a transition through this hybrid phenotype to become mature secretory ameloblasts.
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