title: Dentin matrix protein 1 and phosphate homeostasis are critical for postnatal pulp, dentin and enamel formation.
abstract: Deletion or mutation of dentin matrix protein 1 (DMP1) leads to hypophosphatemic rickets and defects within the dentin. However, it is largely unknown if this pathological change is a direct role of DMP1 or an indirect role of phosphate (Pi) or both. It has also been previously shown that Klotho-deficient mice, which displayed a high Pi level due to a failure of Pi excretion, causes mild defects in the dentinal structure. This study was to address the distinct roles of DMP1 and Pi homeostasis in cell differentiation, apoptosis and mineralization of dentin and enamel. Our working hypothesis was that a stable Pi homeostasis is critical for postnatal tooth formation, and that DMP1 has an antiapoptotic role in both amelogenesis and dentinogenesis. To test this hypothesis, Dmp1-null (Dmp1(-/-)), Klotho-deficient (kl/kl), Dmp1/Klotho-double-deficient (Dmp1(-/-)/kl/kl) and wild-type (WT) mice were killed at the age of 6 weeks. Combinations of X-ray, microcomputed tomography (μCT), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), histology, apoptosis and immunohistochemical methods were used for characterization of dentin, enamel and pulp structures in these mutant mice. Our results showed that Dmp1(-/-) (a low Pi level) or kl/kl (a high Pi level) mice displayed mild dentin defects such as thin dentin and a reduction of dentin tubules. Neither deficient mouse line exhibited any apparent changes in enamel or pulp structure. However, the double-deficient mice (a high Pi level) displayed severe defects in dentin and enamel structures, including loss of dentinal tubules and enamel prisms, as well as unexpected ectopic ossification within the pulp root canal. TUNEL assay showed a sharp increase in apoptotic cells in ameloblasts and odontoblasts. Based on the above findings, we conclude that DMP1 has a protective role for odontoblasts and ameloblasts in a pro-apoptotic environment (a high Pi level).
authors.affiliation: Biomedical Sciences, Baylor College of Dentistry, Texas A&M Health Science Center, Dallas, TX 75246, USA.
authors.forename: Afsaneh
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Rangiani
authors.forename: Zheng-Guo
authors.initials: ZG
authors.lastname: Cao
authors.forename: Ying
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Anika
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Voisey Rodgers
authors.forename: Yong
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Jiang
authors.forename: Chun-Lin
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Qin
authors.forename: Jian-Quan
authors.initials: JQ
authors.lastname: Feng
mesh_terms: D000565:Ameloblasts / Q000473:pathology; D000566:Amelogenesis / Q000502:physiology*; D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000502:physiology; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000502:physiology; D003743:Dental Enamel / Q000473:pathology; D003782:Dental Pulp / Q000473:pathology / Q000502:physiology*; D003786:Dental Pulp Cavity / Q000473:pathology; D003804:Dentin / Q000002:abnormalities / Q000473:pathology; D003810:Dentinogenesis / Q000502:physiology*; D016326:Extracellular Matrix Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D005966:Glucuronidase / Q000235:genetics; D006706:Homeostasis / Q000502:physiology*; D054559:Hyperphosphatemia / Q000503:physiopathology; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D000090265:Klotho Proteins; D051379:Mice; D018345:Mice, Knockout; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D009804:Odontoblasts / Q000473:pathology; D009805:Odontogenesis / Q000502:physiology; D009999:Ossification, Heterotopic / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology; D010710:Phosphates / Q000502:physiology*; D014074:Tooth Calcification / Q000502:physiology; D055114:X-Ray Microtomography
chemical_list: C513308:Dmp1 protein, mouse; D016326:Extracellular Matrix Proteins; D010710:Phosphates; D005966:Glucuronidase; D000090265:Klotho Proteins