[Cell proliferation and programmed cell death in tooth development].
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the role of cell proliferation and programmed cell death (PCD) in the tooth development by detecting programmed cell death and expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA).


METHODS
Expression of PCNA and PCD were detected by immunohistochemical staining and Tdt-mediated dUTP nick end labelling (TUNEL) in different stages of the tooth development of Sprague-Dawley rats.


RESULTS
The positive cells of PCNA and PCD predominantly appeared at the proliferating growth center in the bud, the cap and the earlier bell stages of tooth development. PCNA and PCD were also observed in ameloblasts and odontoblasts, especially in the stellate reticulum cells of enamel organ and dental papilla during the period of dentin formation.


CONCLUSIONS
Cell proliferation and programmed cell death are interrelated and interact on each other in the development of teeth, and they both involve in sculpturing the shape of teeth.
Zhao
S
S
College of Stomatology, Fourth Military Medical University.
Jin
Y
Y
Li
S
S
Zhao
M
M
Yang
X
X
D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000502:physiology*; D002455:Cell Division / Q000502:physiology; D004622:Embryo, Mammalian; D005260:Female; D020287:In Situ Nick-End Labeling; D008297:Male; D009805:Odontogenesis / Q000502:physiology*; D011247:Pregnancy; D018809:Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen / Q000378:metabolism; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D014083:Tooth Germ / Q000166:cytology
D018809:Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen