Induction of dental epithelial cell differentiation marker gene expression in non-odontogenic human keratinocytes by transfection with thymosin beta 4.

Previous studies have shown that the recombination of cells liberated from developing tooth germs develop into teeth. However, it is difficult to use human developing tooth germ as a source of cells because of ethical issues. Previous studies have reported that thymosin beta 4 (Tmsb4x) is closely related to the initiation and development of the tooth germ. We herein attempted to establish odontogenic epithelial cells from non-odontogenic HaCaT cells by transfection with TMSB4X. TMSB4X-transfected cells formed nodules that were positive for Alizarin-red S (ALZ) and von Kossa staining (calcium phosphate deposits) when cultured in calcification-inducing medium. Three selected clones showing larger amounts of calcium deposits than the other clones, expressed PITX2, Cytokeratin 14, and Sonic Hedgehog. The upregulation of odontogenesis-related genes, such as runt-related transcription factor 2 (RUNX2), Amelogenin (AMELX), Ameloblastin (AMBN) and Enamelin (ENAM) was also detected. These proteins were immunohistochemically observed in nodules positive for the ALZ and von Kossa staining. RUNX2-positive selected TMSB4X-transfected cells implanted into the dorsal subcutaneous tissue of nude mice formed matrix deposits. Immunohistochemically, AMELX, AMBN and ENAM were observed in the matrix deposits. This study demonstrated the possibility of induction of dental epithelial cell differentiation marker gene expression in non-odontogenic HaCaT cells by TMSB4X.

The expression and function of thymosin beta 10 in tooth germ development.

This study presents the expression pattern and functions of thymosin beta 10 (Tbeta10), a Tbeta4 homologue during the development of mouse lower first molars. An in situ signal of Tbeta10 was detected on embryonic day 10.5 (E10.5)-E15.5 mainly in dental mesenchymal cells as well as in dental epithelial cells, while Tbeta4 was expressed in dental epithelial cells. In the late bell stage, preodontoblasts with strong Tbeta10 expression and preameloblasts with strong Tbeta4 expression exhibited face-to-face localization, suggesting that an intimate cell-cell interaction might exist between preodontoblasts and preameloblasts to form dentin and enamel matrices. A strong Tbeta10 signal was found in odontoblasts in the lateral side of the dental pulp and in Hertwig’s epithelial root sheath, thus suggesting that Tbeta10 participates in the formation of the outline of the tooth root. An inhibition assay using Tbeta10-siRNA in E11.0 mandibles showed significant growth inhibition in the tooth germ. The Tbeta10-siRNA-treated E15.0 tooth germ also showed significant developmental arrest. The number of Ki67-positive cells significantly decreased in the Tbeta10-siRNA-treated mandibles. The cellular proliferative activity was also significantly suppressed in Tb10-siRNA-treated cultured mouse dental pulpal and epithelial cells. These results indicate that developmental arrest of the tooth germ might be caused by a reduction in cell proliferative activity. The stage-specific temporal and spatial expression pattern of Tbeta10 in the developing tooth germ is indicative of multiple functions of Tbeta10 in the developmental course from initiation to root formation of the tooth germ.

Immunohistochemical expression of thymosin ß4 in ameloblastomas and odontomas.

Ameloblastoma is regarded to be a benign odontogenic tumor, but it is destructive, locally invasive and presents a high rate of recurrence. Thymosin ß4 (Tß4) is closely associated with tooth germ development. Tß4 also plays a role in malignant progression and invasion. However, little is known about the function of Tß4 in odontogenic tumors. Thus, we investigated Tß4 expression in ameloblastomas and compared it with odontomas. We immunohistochemically evaluated the expression of Tß4, ameloblastin (AMBN), amelogenin (AMEL) and enamelin (ENAM) in 57 samples of ameloblastomas from 40 patients, and also assessed the expression of these molecules in 11 cases of odontomas, two of ameloblastic fibro-odontomas and one of tooth germ-like structures without the formation of enamel and dentin. Tß4 signals were observed in almost all of the ameloblastomas. The signals were observed in both peripheral columnar cells and central polyhedral/angular cells. Similar findings were observed in tooth germ-like structures, and in the ameloblastomatous nests in the ameloblastic fibro-odontomas. These samples had negative results for AMBN, AMEL and ENAM. Meanwhile, Tß4 signals were not seen in the odontomas, although immunolabeling for AMBN, AMEL and ENAM was observed in the enamel matrix and in some ameloblasts. Ectomesenhymal regions in the odontomas were negative for staining with the antibodies for AMBN, AMEL and ENAM. These results suggest that Tß4 could be associated with morphogenesis and tumor invasion in the ameloblastoma, and that Tß4 may play a role in the behavior of ameloblastoma.

In situ expression of the mitochondrial ATPase6 gene in the developing tooth germ of the mouse lower first molar.

We previously performed cDNA subtraction between the mouse mandibles on embryonic day 10.5 (E10.5) in the pre-initiation stage of the odontogenesis and E12.0 in the late initiation stage to identify genes expressed at its beginning. Adenosine triphosphate synthase subunit a (Atpase6) is one of the highly expressed genes in the E12.0 mandible including tooth germs. In situ hybridization was conducted using the mouse mandibular first molar from E10.5 to E18.0 to determine the precise expression patterns of Atpase6 mRNA in the developing tooth germ. Atpase6 mRNA was strongly expressed in the presumptive dental epithelium and the underlying mesenchyme at E10.5, and in the thickened dental epithelium at E12.0 and E13.0. Strong in situ signals were observed in the epithelium at E14.0, and in the enamel organ excluded the area of the primary enamel knot at E15.0. Atpase6 was strongly expressed in the inner enamel epithelium, the adjacent stratum intermedium, and the outer enamel epithelium in the cervical loops from E16.0 to E18.0. In addition, strong Atpase6 signals were coincidently demonstrated in various developing cranio-facial organs. These results suggest that Atpase6 participates in the high energy-utilizing functions of the cells related to the initiation and the development of the tooth germ as well as those of the other cranio-facial organs.