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Tgfbr2 in Dental Pulp Cells Guides Neurite Outgrowth in Developing Teeth
Monica Stanwick1, Courtney Barkley2, Rosa Serra2
1Division of Biosciences, College of Dentistry, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, United States.
Frontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology
|March 10, 2022
Summary
Transforming growth factor beta 2 (TGFβ2) deletion in dental pulp mesenchyme disrupts tooth mineralization and innervation. This impacts axonal guidance cues, affecting tooth development and nerve fiber growth.
Area of Science:
- Developmental Biology
- Neuroscience
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Transforming growth factor beta (TGFβ) signaling is crucial for tooth development, including morphogenesis and mineralization.
- Dental pulp (DP) mesenchyme secretes factors that guide trigeminal nerve fibers, a process linked to dentin formation.
- Disruptions in these processes can lead to significant defects in tooth structure and innervation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of TGFβ receptor 2 (Tgfbr2) in dental pulp mesenchyme during tooth development.
- To determine how Tgfbr2 deletion affects tooth mineralization and innervation.
- To identify molecular pathways regulated by Tgfbr2 in the dental pulp.
Main Methods:
- Conditional deletion of Tgfbr2 in mouse dental pulp mesenchyme using Osterix promoter-driven Cre.
- Histological analysis (Hematoxylin and eosin) and immunofluorescence staining (β3 tubulin) for innervation assessment.
- RNA-sequencing (RNA-Seq) and gene ontology analysis of dental pulp tissue.
- In vitro co-culture system of trigeminal neurons with dental pulp cells.
Main Results:
- Mice with conditional Tgfbr2 deletion in dental pulp mesenchyme exhibited reduced tooth mineralization and shorter roots.
- Reduced innervation, indicated by decreased β3 tubulin staining, was observed in mutant molars.
- RNA-Seq identified downregulation of mineralization and neuronal genes, including semaphorin signaling pathway components.
- In vitro studies confirmed that Tgfbr2 deletion impairs dental pulp cells' ability to support axonal sprouting and reduces mineralization potential.
Conclusions:
- Tgfbr2 in dental pulp mesenchyme is essential for regulating tooth mineralization and guiding neurite outgrowth.
- Disruption of Tgfbr2 signaling affects the expression of axonal guidance cues, impacting tooth innervation.
- These findings highlight the intricate relationship between mineralization and innervation during tooth development, mediated by TGFβ signaling.
