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Frontiers in Physiology 2023Mouse and human genetic studies indicate key roles of the ligand in odontogenesis. Previous studies have identified effectors and regulators of the Wnt signaling...
Mouse and human genetic studies indicate key roles of the ligand in odontogenesis. Previous studies have identified effectors and regulators of the Wnt signaling pathway actively expressed during key stages of tooth morphogenesis. However, limitations in multiplexing and spatial resolution hindered a more comprehensive analysis of these signaling molecules. Here, profiling of transcriptomes using fluorescent multiplex hybridization and single-cell RNA-sequencing (scRNA-seq) provide robust insight into the synchronized expression patterns of , , and simultaneously during tooth development. First, we identified transcripts restricted to the epithelium at the stage of tooth bud morphogenesis, contrasting that of and localization to the dental mesenchyme. By embryonic day 15.5 (E15.5), a marked shift of expression from dental epithelium to mesenchyme was noted, while and expression remained enriched in the mesenchyme. By postnatal day 0 (P0), co-localization patterns of , , and were observed in both terminally differentiating and secreting odontoblasts of molars and incisors. Interestingly, exhibited robust expression in fully differentiated ameloblasts at the developing cusp tip of both molars and incisors, an observation not previously noted in prior studies. At P7 and 14, after the mineralization of dentin and enamel, expression was limited to odontoblasts. Meanwhile, Wnt modulators showed reduced or absent signals in molars. In contrast, strong signals persisted in ameloblasts (for ) and odontoblasts (for , , and ) towards the proximal end of incisors, near the cervical loop. Our scRNA-seq analysis used CellChat to further contextualize Wnt pathway-mediated communication between cells by examining ligand-receptor interactions among different clusters. The co-localization pattern of , , and in both terminally differentiating and secreting odontoblasts of molars and incisors potentially signifies the crucial ligand-modulator interaction along the gradient of cytodifferentiation starting from each cusp tip towards the apical region. These data provide cell type-specific insight into the role of Wnt ligands and mediators during epithelial-mesenchymal interactions in odontogenesis.
PubMed: 38274045
DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2023.1316635 -
Journal, Genetic Engineering &... Oct 2023Tuftelin 1 (TUFT1) gene is important in the development and mineralization of dental enamel. The study aimed to identify potential functionally deleterious...
BACKGROUND
Tuftelin 1 (TUFT1) gene is important in the development and mineralization of dental enamel. The study aimed to identify potential functionally deleterious non-synonymous SNPs (nsSNPs) in the TUFT1 gene by using different in silico tools. The deleterious missense SNPs were identified from SIFT, PolyPhen-2, PROVEAN, SNPs & GO, PANTHER, and SNAP2. The stabilization, conservation, and three-dimensional modeling of mutant proteins were analyzed by I-Mutant 3.0, Consurf, and Project HOPE, respectively. The protein-protein interaction using STRING, GeneMANIA for gene-gene interaction, and DynaMut for evaluating the impact of the mutation on protein stability, conformation, and flexibility.
RESULTS
Eight deleterious nsSNPs (E242A, R303W, K182N, K123N, R117W, H289Q, R203W, and Q107R) out of 304 were found to have high-risk damaging effects using six in silico tools. Among them, K182N and K123N alone had increased stability, whereas E242A, R303W, R117W, H289Q, Q107R, and R203W exhibited a decrease in protein stability, based on DDG values. Meanwhile, all the eight deleterious nsSNPs altered the size, charge, hydrophobicity, and spatial organization of the amino acids and predominantly had alpha helix domains. These deleterious variants were located in highly conserved regions except R203W. Protein-protein interaction predicted that TUFT1 interacted with ten proteins that are involved in enamel mineralization and odontogenesis. Gene-gene interaction network showed that TUFT1 is involved in physical interactions, gene co-localization, and pathway interactions. DynaMut ΔΔG values predicted that five nsSNPs were destabilizing the protein, ΔΔG ENCoM values showed a destabilizing effect for all mutants, and seven nsSNPs increased the molecular flexibility of TUFT1.
CONCLUSION
Our study predicted eight functional SNPs that had detrimental effects on the structure and function of the TUFT1 gene. This will aid in the development of candidate deleterious markers as a potential target for disease diagnosis and therapeutic interventions.
PubMed: 37801178
DOI: 10.1186/s43141-023-00551-4 -
International Dental Journal Feb 2024The aim of this research was to investigate the functions of Piezo channels in dentin defect, including mechanical signalling and odontoblast responses.
OBJECTIVES
The aim of this research was to investigate the functions of Piezo channels in dentin defect, including mechanical signalling and odontoblast responses.
METHODS
Rat dentin-defect models were constructed, and spatiotemporal expression of Piezo proteins was detected in the pulpo-dentinal complex. Real-time polymerase chain reaction (rtPCR) was used to investigate the functional expression pattern of Piezo channels in odontoblasts. Moreover, RNA interference technology was employed to uncover the underlying mechanisms of the Piezo-driven inflammatory response and repair under fluid shear stress (FSS) conditions in vitro.
RESULTS
Piezo1 and Piezo2 were found to be widely expressed in the odontoblast layer and dental pulp in the rat dentin-defect model during the end stage of reparative dentin formation. The expression levels of the Piezo1 and Piezo2 genes in MDPC-23 cells were high in the initial stage under FSS loading and then decreased over time. Moreover, the expression trends of inflammatory, odontogenic, and mineralisation genes were generally contrary to those of Piezo1 and Piezo2 over time. After silencing of Piezo1/Piezo2, FSS stimulation resulted in significantly higher expression of inflammatory, odontogenesis, and mineralisation genes in MDPC-23 cells. Finally, the expression of genes involved in the integrin β1/ERK1 and Wnt5b/β-catenin signalling pathways was changed in response to RNA silencing of Piezo1 and Piezo2.
CONCLUSIONS
Piezo1 and Piezo2 may be involved in regulating the expression of inflammatory and odontogenic genes in odontoblasts stimulated by FSS.
Topics: Rats; Humans; Animals; Odontoblasts
PubMed: 37833209
DOI: 10.1016/j.identj.2023.07.002 -
Journal of Molecular Histology Dec 2023Histone lactylation on its lysine (K) residues has been reported to have indispensable roles in lung fibrosis, embryogenesis, neural development, inflammation, and...
Histone lactylation on its lysine (K) residues has been reported to have indispensable roles in lung fibrosis, embryogenesis, neural development, inflammation, and tumors. However, little is known about the lactylation activity towards histone lysine residue during tooth development. We investigated the dynamic patterns of lactate-derived histone lysine lactylation (Kla) using a pan-Kla antibody during murine tooth development, including lower first molar and lower incisor. The results showed that pan-Kla exhibited temporo-spatial patterns in both dental epithelium and mesenchyme cells during development. Notably, pan-Kla was identified in primary enamel knot (PEK), stratum intermedium (SI), stellate reticulum (SR), dental follicle cells, odontoblasts, ameloblasts, proliferating cells in dental mesenchyme, as well as osteoblasts around the tooth germ. More importantly, pan-Kla was also identified to be co-localized with neurofilament during tooth development, suggesting histone lysine lactylation may be involved in neural invasion during tooth development. These findings suggest that histone lysine lactylation may play important roles in regulating tooth development.
Topics: Mice; Animals; Histones; Lysine; Odontogenesis; Tooth Germ; Ameloblasts
PubMed: 37787911
DOI: 10.1007/s10735-023-10154-5 -
Journal of Dental Research Jan 2024Histone methylation assumes a crucial role in the intricate process of enamel development. Our study has illuminated the substantial prevalence of H3K4me3 distribution,...
Histone methylation assumes a crucial role in the intricate process of enamel development. Our study has illuminated the substantial prevalence of H3K4me3 distribution, spanning from the cap stage to the late bell stage of dental germs. In order to delve into the role of H3K4me3 modification in amelogenesis and unravel the underlying mechanisms, we performed a conditional knockout of , a core subunit essential for the establishment of H3K4me3 within the dental epithelium of mice. The absence of resulted in reduced H3K4me3 modification, subsequently leading to abnormal morphology of dental germ at the late bell stage. Notably, knockout of resulted in a loss of polarity in ameloblasts and odontoblasts. The proliferation and apoptosis of the inner enamel epithelium cells underwent dysregulation. Moreover, there was a notable reduction in the expression of matrix-related genes, and , accompanied with impaired enamel and dentin formation. Cut&Tag-seq (cleavage under targets and tagmentation sequencing) analysis substantiated a reduction of H3K4me3 modification on , and others in the dental epithelium of knockout mice. Validation through real-time polymerase chain reaction, immunohistochemistry, and immunofluorescence consistently affirmed the observed downregulation of Shh and Sp6 in the dental epithelium following knockout. Intriguingly, the expression of isomers, and , was perturbed in defect dental epithelium. Furthermore, the downstream target of TAp63, P21, exhibited aberrant expression within the cervical loop of mandibular first molars and incisors. Collectively, our findings suggest that ASH2L orchestrates the regulation of crucial amelogenesis-associated genes, such as , and others, by modulating H3K4me3 modification. Loss of ASH2L and H3K4me3 can lead to aberrant differentiation, proliferation, and apoptosis of the dental epithelium by affecting the expression of , and others genes, thereby contributing to the defects of amelogenesis.
Topics: Animals; Mice; Ameloblasts; Amelogenesis; Dental Enamel; Dental Enamel Proteins; Methylation; Mice, Knockout
PubMed: 37990471
DOI: 10.1177/00220345231207309 -
Stem Cell Research & Therapy Aug 2023Redox signaling and energy metabolism are known to be involved in controlling the balance between self-renewal and proliferation/differentiation of stem cells. In this...
BACKGROUND
Redox signaling and energy metabolism are known to be involved in controlling the balance between self-renewal and proliferation/differentiation of stem cells. In this study we investigated metabolic and redox changes occurring during in vitro human dental pulp stem cells (hDPSCs) osteoblastic (OB) differentiation and tested on them the impact of the reactive oxygen species (ROS) signaling.
METHODS
hDPSCs were isolated from dental pulp and subjected to alkaline phosphatase and alizarin red staining, q-RT-PCR, and western blotting analysis of differentiation markers to assess achievement of osteogenic/odontogenic differentiation. Moreover, a combination of metabolic flux analysis and confocal cyto-imaging was used to profile the metabolic phenotype and to evaluate the redox tone of hDPSCs.
RESULTS
In differentiating hDPSCs we observed the down-regulation of the mitochondrial respiratory chain complexes expression since the early phase of the process, confirmed by metabolic flux analysis, and a reduction of the basal intracellular peroxide level in its later phase. In addition, dampened glycolysis was observed, thereby indicating a lower energy-generating phenotype in differentiating hDPSCs. Treatment with the ROS scavenger Trolox, applied in the early-middle phases of the process, markedly delayed OB differentiation of hDPSCs assessed as ALP activity, Runx2 expression, mineralization capacity, expression of stemness and osteoblast marker genes (Nanog, Lin28, Dspp, Ocn) and activation of ERK1/2. In addition, the antioxidant partly prevented the inhibitory effect on cell metabolism observed following osteogenic induction.
CONCLUSIONS
Altogether these results provided evidence that redox signaling, likely mediated by peroxide species, influenced the stepwise osteogenic expansion/differentiation of hDPSCs and contributed to shape its accompanying metabolic phenotype changes thus improving their efficiency in bone regeneration and repair.
Topics: Humans; Osteogenesis; Dental Pulp; Reactive Oxygen Species; Bone Regeneration; Energy Metabolism; Oxidation-Reduction; Niacinamide; Alkaline Phosphatase
PubMed: 37608350
DOI: 10.1186/s13287-023-03447-9 -
Journal of Dental Research Jan 2024Amelogenesis imperfecta (AI) comprises a group of rare, inherited disorders with abnormal enamel formation. Ameloblastin (AMBN), the second most abundant enamel matrix...
Amelogenesis imperfecta (AI) comprises a group of rare, inherited disorders with abnormal enamel formation. Ameloblastin (AMBN), the second most abundant enamel matrix protein (EMP), plays a critical role in amelogenesis. Pathogenic biallelic loss-of-function variants are known to cause recessive hypoplastic AI. A report of a family with dominant hypoplastic AI attributed to AMBN missense change p.Pro357Ser, together with data from animal models, suggests that the consequences of variants in human AI remain incompletely characterized. Here we describe 5 new pathogenic variants in 11 individuals with AI. These fall within 3 groups by phenotype. Group 1, consisting of 6 families biallelic for combinations of 4 different variants, have yellow hypoplastic AI with poor-quality enamel, consistent with previous reports. Group 2, with 2 families, appears monoallelic for a variant shared with group 1 and has hypomaturation AI of near-normal enamel volume with pitting. Group 3 includes 3 families, all monoallelic for a fifth variant, which are affected by white hypoplastic AI with a thin intact enamel layer. Three variants, c.209C>G; p.(Ser70*) (groups 1 and 2), c.295T>C; p.(Tyr99His) (group 1), and c.76G>A; p.(Ala26Thr) (group 3) were identified in multiple families. Long-read locus sequencing revealed these variants are on the same conserved haplotype, implying they originate from a common ancestor. Data presented therefore provide further support for possible dominant as well as recessive inheritance for -related AI and for multiple contrasting phenotypes. In conclusion, our findings suggest pathogenic variants have a more complex impact on human AI than previously reported.
Topics: Animals; Humans; Amelogenesis; Amelogenesis Imperfecta; Dental Enamel Proteins; Pedigree; Phenotype
PubMed: 38058155
DOI: 10.1177/00220345231203694 -
Journal of Translational Medicine Jan 2024Revascularization and restoration of normal pulp-dentin complex are important for tissue-engineered pulp regeneration. Recently, a unique periodontal tip-like...
BACKGROUND
Revascularization and restoration of normal pulp-dentin complex are important for tissue-engineered pulp regeneration. Recently, a unique periodontal tip-like endothelial cells subtype (POTCs) specialized to dentinogenesis was identified. We have confirmed that TPPU, a soluble epoxide hydrolase (sEH) inhibitor targeting epoxyeicosatrienoic acids (EETs) metabolism, promotes bone growth and regeneration by angiogenesis and osteogenesis coupling. We hypothesized that TPPU could also promote revascularization and induce POTCs to contribute to pulp-dentin complex regeneration. Here, we in vitro and in vivo characterized the potential effect of TPPU on the coupling of angiogenesis and odontogenesis and investigated the relevant mechanism, providing new ideas for pulp-dentin regeneration by targeting sEH.
METHODS
In vitro effects of TPPU on the proliferation, migration, and angiogenesis of dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs), human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) and cocultured DPSCs and HUVECs were detected using cell counting kit 8 (CCK8) assay, wound healing, transwell, tube formation and RT-qPCR. In vivo, Matrigel plug assay was performed to outline the roles of TPPU in revascularization and survival of grafts. Then we characterized the VEGFR2 + POTCs around odontoblast layer in the molar of pups from C57BL/6 female mice gavaged with TPPU. Finally, the root segments with DPSCs mixed with Matrigel were implanted subcutaneously in BALB/c nude mice treated with TPPU and the root grafts were isolated for histological staining.
RESULTS
In vitro, TPPU significantly promoted the migration and tube formation capability of cocultured DPSCs and HUVECs. ALP and ARS staining and RT-qPCR showed that TPPU promoted the osteogenic and odontogenic differentiation of cultured cells, treatment with an anti-TGF-β blocking antibody abrogated this effect. Knockdown of HIF-1α in HUVECs significantly reversed the effect of TPPU on the expression of angiogenesis, osteogenesis and odontogenesis-related genes in cocultured cells. Matrigel plug assay showed that TPPU increased VEGF/VEGFR2-expressed cells in transplanted grafts. TPPU contributed to angiogenic-odontogenic coupling featured by increased VEGFR2 + POTCs and odontoblast maturation during early dentinogenesis in molar of newborn pups from C57BL/6 female mice gavaged with TPPU. TPPU induced more dental pulp-like tissue with more vessels and collagen fibers in transplanted root segment.
CONCLUSIONS
TPPU promotes revascularization of dental pulp regeneration by enhancing migration and angiogenesis of HUVECs, and improves odontogenic differentiation of DPSCs by TGF-β. TPPU boosts the angiogenic-odontogenic coupling by enhancing VEGFR2 + POTCs meditated odontoblast maturation partly via upregulating HIF-1α, which contributes to increasing pulp-dentin complex for tissue-engineered pulp regeneration.
Topics: Mice; Animals; Female; Humans; Dental Pulp; Epoxide Hydrolases; Mice, Nude; Stem Cells; Mice, Inbred C57BL; Regeneration; Cells, Cultured; Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells; Cell Differentiation; Dentin
PubMed: 38229161
DOI: 10.1186/s12967-024-04863-y -
Clinical Oral Investigations Sep 2023Herein, we evaluated pinealectomy-induced melatonin absence to determine its effects on craniofacial and dental development in the offspring.
OBJECTIVE
Herein, we evaluated pinealectomy-induced melatonin absence to determine its effects on craniofacial and dental development in the offspring.
DESIGN
Female Wistar rats in three groups, i.e., intact pregnant rats, pinealectomized pregnant rats (PINX), and pinealectomized pregnant rats subjected to oral melatonin replacement therapy, were crossed 30 days after surgery. The heads of 7-day-old pups were harvested for cephalometric and histological analyses, and maxillae and incisors were collected for mRNA expression analysis.
RESULTS
The PINX pups exhibited a reduction in neurocranial and facial parameters such as a decrease in alveolar bone area, incisor size and proliferation, and an increase in odontoblasts and the dentin layer. Based on incisor mRNA expression analysis, we found that Dmp1 expression was upregulated, whereas Col1a1 expression was downregulated. Maxillary mRNA expression revealed that Rankl expression was upregulated, whereas that of Opn and Osx was downregulated.
CONCLUSION
Our results demonstrated that the absence of maternal melatonin during early life could affect dental and maxillary development in offspring, as well as delay odontogenesis and osteogenesis in maxillary tissues.
CLINICAL RELEVANCE
Our findings suggest that disruptions or a lack of melatonin during pregnancy may cause changes in craniofacial and dental development, at least in animal experiments; however, in humans, these feedings are still poorly understood, and thus careful evaluations of melatonin levels in humans need to be investigated in craniofacial alterations.
Topics: Pregnancy; Humans; Rats; Animals; Female; Melatonin; Rats, Wistar; Pineal Gland; RNA, Messenger
PubMed: 37454327
DOI: 10.1007/s00784-023-05155-3 -
Scientific Reports May 2024Polyetheretherketone (PEEK) is considered as an excellent biomaterial for bone grafting and connective tissue replacement. The clinical potential is, however, limited by...
Polyetheretherketone (PEEK) is considered as an excellent biomaterial for bone grafting and connective tissue replacement. The clinical potential is, however, limited by its bioinertness, poor osteoconduction, and weak antibacterial activity. These disadvantages can be overcome by introducing suitable additives to produce mineral-polymer composites or coatings. In this work, a PEEK-based bioactive composite has been obtained by blending the polymer with magnesium phosphate (Mg(PO)) particles in amounts ranging from 1 to 10 wt.% using the hot press technique. The obtained composite exhibited improved mechanical and physical properties, above the lower limits set for bone engineering applications. The tested grafts were found to not induce cytotoxicity. The presence of magnesium phosphate induced the mineralisation process with no adverse effects on the expression of the marker crucial for osteoblastic differentiation. The most promising results were observed in the grafts containing 1 wt.% of magnesium phosphate embedded within the PEEK matrix. The improved bioactivity of grafts, together with suitable physical-chemical and mechanical properties, indicate this composite as a promising orthopaedic implant material.
Topics: Benzophenones; Ketones; Polymers; Polyethylene Glycols; Biocompatible Materials; Phosphates; Humans; Magnesium Compounds; Materials Testing; Osteoblasts
PubMed: 38806564
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-61941-3