Mouse cellular cementum is highly dependent on growth hormone status.
Cementum is known to be growth-hormone (GH)-responsive, but to what extent is unclear. This study examines the effects of extremes of GH status on cementogenesis in three lines of genetically modified mice; GH excess (giant), GH antagonist excess (dwarf), and GH receptor-deleted (GHR-KO) (dwarf). Age-matched mandibular molar tissues were processed for light microscope histology. Digital images of sections of first molar teeth were captured for morphometric analysis of lingual root cementum. Cross-sectional area of the cellular cementum was a sensitive guide to GH status, being reduced nearly 10-fold in GHR-KO mice, three-fold in GH antagonist mice, and increased almost two-fold in giant mice (p < 0.001). Cellular cementum length was similarly influenced by GH status, but to a lesser extent. Acellular cementum was generally unaffected. This study reveals cellular cementum to be a highly responsive GH target tissue, which may have therapeutic applications in assisting regeneration of the periodontium.
Smid
J R
JR
School of Dentistry, Institute for Molecular Bioscience, University of Queensland, St. Lucia, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia. j.smid@mailbox.uq.edu.au
Rowland
J E
JE
Young
W G
WG
Daley
T J
TJ
Coschigano
K T
KT
Kopchick
J J
JJ
Waters
M J
MJ
D000818:Animals; D025021:Cementogenesis / Q000502:physiology; D003739:Dental Cementum / Q000473:pathology*; D004392:Dwarfism / Q000235:genetics / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D005877:Gigantism / Q000235:genetics / Q000503:physiopathology; D013006:Growth Hormone / Q000502:physiology*; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D008815:Mice, Inbred Strains; D018345:Mice, Knockout; D008822:Mice, Transgenic; D008963:Molar / Q000473:pathology; D009811:Odontometry; D010641:Phenotype; D011986:Receptors, Somatotropin / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D014092:Tooth Root / Q000473:pathology
D011986:Receptors, Somatotropin; D013006:Growth Hormone