title: Spatiotemporal expression of sclerostin in odontoblasts during embryonic mouse tooth morphogenesis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Sclerostin is the product of the SOST gene. Loss-of-function mutations in the SOST gene result in a high bone mass phenotype, thus confirming that sclerostin is a negative regulator of bone mass. SOST knockdown in humans also causes oral and dental malformations. However, the relationship between sclerostin and tooth development is unclear.
  
  
  METHODS
  Using immunohistochemical techniques, we investigated sclerostin expression during fetal mouse tooth development and adult mouse tooth morphogenesis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Sclerostin was expressed in the secretory odontoblasts located along the ameloblasts of fetal mouse tooth germ and adult incisor. Sclerostin expression was also observed in the fetal and adult osteocytes in the jaw bone.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These results suggest that sclerostin, one of the important regulatory factors of differentiated odontoblast function, may usable in vital pulp therapy.
authors.affiliation: Division of Restorative Dentistry, Department of Conservative Dentistry, Ohu University, School of Dentistry, Fukushima, Japan.
authors.forename: Takahiro
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Naka
authors.forename: Satoshi
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Yokose
mesh_terms: D048868:Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing; D000565:Ameloblasts / Q000166:cytology; D000818:Animals; D000831:Animals, Newborn; D019485:Bone Morphogenetic Proteins / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors*; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000502:physiology; D003771:Dental Papilla / Q000166:cytology / Q000196:embryology; D003804:Dentin / Q000196:embryology; D004848:Epithelium / Q000196:embryology; D018507:Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental; D005865:Gestational Age; D006023:Glycoproteins / Q000032:analysis*; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D007180:Incisor / Q000166:cytology / Q000196:embryology; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; D008334:Mandible / Q000166:cytology / Q000196:embryology; D008437:Maxilla / Q000166:cytology / Q000196:embryology; D051379:Mice; D008813:Mice, Inbred ICR; D008963:Molar / Q000166:cytology / Q000196:embryology; D009804:Odontoblasts / Q000166:cytology*; D009805:Odontogenesis / Q000502:physiology*; D010006:Osteoblasts / Q000166:cytology; D010011:Osteocytes / Q000166:cytology; D014083:Tooth Germ / Q000166:cytology / Q000196:embryology*
chemical_list: D048868:Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing; D019485:Bone Morphogenetic Proteins; D006023:Glycoproteins; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; C486030:Sost protein, mouse