›› 2010, Vol. 30 ›› Issue (10): 1183-.doi: 10.3969/j.issn.1674-8115.2010.10.001

• Original article (Basic research) • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Expression of extracellular matrix metalloproteinase inducer in morphogenesis of tooth germs in mouse molars

XIE Ming, JIAO Ting, CHEN Yu-qin, XU Chun, LI Jing, ZHANG Fu-qiang   

  1. Department of Prosthodontics, Shanghai Institute of Stomatology, The Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200011, China
  • Online:2010-10-25 Published:2010-10-27
  • Supported by:

    National Natural Science Foundation of China, 30900848;Foundation of Shanghai Committee of Science and Technology, China, 08DZ2271100;Construction of Shanghai Key Disciplines Project, China, S30206;Construction of Shanghai Key Disciplines—Characteristic Disciplines Project, China, T0202;Start of Scientific Research of the Return Scholars from Abroad Foundation, 2008-0890-10;Shanghai Outstanding Young Scientists Scientific Research Special Foundation, China, jdy08069;Foundation of the Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, 2007-10

Abstract:

Objective To explore expression of extracellular matrix metalloproteinase inducer (EMMPRIN) in different stages of tooth germ development of mouse low first molar, and speculate the possible biological function of EMMPRIN. Methods Mice at different gestational ages (E11, E13, E14, E15, E16, and E18) and postnatal 1 d (P1) were selected. Expressions of EMMPRIN mRNA of the mandible (E11 and E13) and tooth germ (E14, E15, E16, E18, and P1) in different stages in mouse tooth germ development were measured by using quantitative real-time PCR. Localization of EMMPRIN mRNA and protein expression in the developing tooth germ and other cranio-facial organs at different stages were observed by using in situ hybridization and immunofluorescence. Results In mandible samples, EMMPRIN mRNA expression of E13 fetal mouse was about 1.6 times than that of E11 fetal mouse (P<0.01). In tooth germ, EMMPRIN mRNA expression of P1 mouse was about 2 times than that of E14 fetal mouse (P<0.01). EMMPRIN mRNA level in tooth germ seemed to increase gradually during tooth germ development. Under in situ hybridization and immunofluorescence, in E14 fetal mouse tooth germ, localization of EMMPRIN mRNA and protein expression were consistent. But in E15, E16, and E18 fetal mouse tooth germ, localization of EMMPRIN mRNA and protein expression were different. In corresponding stages, EMMPRIN protein expression showed strong fluorescence in mandible Meckel cartilage (E14), retina (E15), brain blood-brain barrier (E15), and jaw bone ossification center (E16). Conclusion EMMPRIN is expressed throughout the different early stages of tooth germ development, but the expression pattern of EMMPRIN mRNA do not coincide with that of EMMPRIN protein completely at the cap stage and the bell stage of tooth germ development. EMMPRIN may act through possible exocrine/paracrine mechanism in regulating the epithelial mesenchymal interaction, which consequently contributes to the development and further morphogenesis of tooth germ.

Key words: extracellular matrix metalloproteinase inducer, morphogenesis, tooth germ, real-time PCR, in situ hybridization, immunofluorescence